Verbal Abuse and Assault with an Anti-Semitic Tone
In an unusual turn of events, a police intervention took place last night in the Neukölln district of Berlin on Emser Straße, involving an establishment. The incident involved two individuals, an 18-year-old and a 14-year-old, who were both present at the establishment.
The 18-year-old allegedly made antisemitic remarks to the owner of the establishment before leaving towards Karl-Marx-Straße. The State Protection department of the State Criminal Police Office is currently investigating the 18-year-old's claim that he made the antisemitic remark during a private phone conversation, not directed at the establishment owner.
Meanwhile, the 14-year-old allegedly harassed patrons of the establishment and threw a paving stone towards its outdoor area. However, it is important to note that the 14-year-old's actions did not result in any injuries. The police procedures for the 14-year-old involved consultation with his father before he was handed over to his sister's care. The 14-year-old's details were taken down by officers during the police procedures.
These incidents in Neukölln appear connected to several pro-Palestinian and queer demonstrations where allegations of antisemitism were made, leading to police shutdowns and heavy security responses. The police intervened citing antisemitic chants and attacks on officers, including during a queer protest at CSD Berlin and at pro-Palestinian events in Neukölln, where police violence against protesters was also reported.
Further investigations revealed a broader context of heightened tension around events addressing Palestine and Israel. These included raids by police on organizers and venues hosting these events, accusations against organizers as antisemitic by mainstream media, and legal actions such as court rulings on false accusations of antisemitic statements. The Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s labeling of the BDS movement as “anti-constitutional” has empowered police and security services in their crackdowns at such events.
Outcomes of these incidents varied: several organizers and attendees were arrested, events banned, police violence documented, and some individuals lost jobs or faced public branding as antisemitic for politically sensitive statements. Despite the tension and police crackdowns, initiatives like the Spore Initiative have continued to offer space supporting free speech and communities affected by discrimination, standing in opposition to efforts to silence Palestinian voices and discussions on antisemitism.
In summary, the multiple police interventions in Neukölln involving alleged antisemitic remarks were part of a larger pattern of state response to contentious political expressions around Israel-Palestine issues. These interventions resulted in event shutdowns, arrests, public controversies, and legal challenges, illustrating the complex interplay of free speech, security, and accusations of antisemitism in Berlin’s current political climate.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5]
In this context, the police intervention on Emser Straße, which involved the 18-year-old making antisemitic remarks, can be categorized under 'crime-and-justice'. The investigation into the 18-year-old's claim of making the antisemitic remark during a private phone conversation is related to 'general-news'. Meanwhile, the 14-year-old's alleged harassment of patrons at the establishment can be associated with 'politics', as it is linked to the ongoing tensions surrounding events addressing Palestine and Israel.
