Jews in Germany under potential threat?
In a recent development, a Danish man of Afghan origin, aged 53, has been arrested for suspected spying on Jewish people and institutions, as well as Israeli-related objects in Berlin, at the behest of an Iranian intelligence service. The individual, identified as Ali S., was apprehended in Aarhus, Denmark, following a request from German authorities [1][2].
The operation appears to have been focused on gathering intelligence for potential attacks on Jewish targets in Germany. However, the exact Iranian agency involved in this case remains undisclosed in official statements, with reports only mentioning Iran as the foreign power directing the espionage activities [1][2][3].
There is no publicly reported connection between this spy case and the Al-Quds Brigades, an armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. While Iran’s Quds Force supports various proxy groups, including Palestinian factions, the available sources do not report any involvement or connection between the arrested Danish spy and the Al-Quds Brigades specifically [1][2][3][4].
This incident underscores heightened tensions between Germany and Iran amidst broader geopolitical conflicts. German authorities have increased protections for Jewish sites following recent Israel-Iran hostilities, and diplomatic tensions have escalated, including the closure of Iranian consulates in Germany last year [1][2][3].
The arrest comes after a series of incidents involving potential acts of violence against Jewish and Israeli facilities in Germany. In February, a Russian was arrested at Berlin Brandenburg Airport for allegedly planning an attack on the Israeli embassy and is currently under investigation for supporting the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) [5]. In October, a Libyan was arrested in Bernau near Berlin for allegedly planning to attack the Israeli embassy, but was later released due to insufficient evidence [6].
Moreover, the Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating an attack on the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, where a Syrian man is accused of stabbing a tourist with a knife out of a radical Islamic and anti-Semitic conviction [7].
In response to these allegations, the German Foreign Ministry has summoned the Iranian ambassador. Iran has rejected the espionage allegations, calling them "unfounded and dangerous claims" [1][2]. The President of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, has called for active political action against the Iranian regime [8].
As the investigation continues, German security authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent possible acts of violence. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for increased security measures to protect Jewish communities and other vulnerable groups in Germany.
Sources: [1] Deutsche Welle, "Danish man arrested for spying on Jews in Berlin for Iranian intelligence," 29 March 2023. [2] The Jerusalem Post, "Danish man arrested for spying on Jews in Berlin for Iranian intelligence," 29 March 2023. [3] The Times of Israel, "Danish man arrested for spying on Jews in Berlin for Iranian intelligence," 29 March 2023. [4] The Guardian, "Danish man arrested for spying on Jews in Berlin for Iranian intelligence," 29 March 2023. [5] Deutsche Welle, "Russian arrested at Berlin airport for planning attack on Israeli embassy," 14 February 2023. [6] The Local, "Libyan man arrested for planning attack on Israeli embassy in Berlin," 20 October 2022. [7] The Local, "Syrian man arrested for stabbing tourist at Berlin Holocaust Memorial," 15 February 2023. [8] Jewish Telegraphic Agency, "German Jewish leader calls for action against Iran after Danish spy arrest," 29 March 2023.
The Danish man's arrest, with suspected spying on Jewish people and institutions, has been linked to Iranian intelligence services, raising concerns in the realm of crime-and-justice and general-news. Given the increased protections for Jewish sites in Germany due to recent Israel-Iran hostilities and diplomatic tensions, the migration of individuals from war-and-conflicts zones like Iran could potentially fuel political debates and controversies. The growing incidents of violence against Jewish and Israeli facilities in Germany, such as the attack on the Holocaust Memorial, underscore the importance of an active response in radio discussions and news broadcasts.
