Pub “Bajszel” is attacked by Hamas supporters | EUROtoday

In the store window, posters hold in opposition to anti -Semitism. On the partitions: Photos of the Israeli hostages deported by Hamas. Events on Jewish life, feminism and racism are a part of the fastened program. The Bajszel in Berlin-Neukölln is greater than a pub-it is a political place: left, Israeli solidar and dedicated. And it has been below police safety for months.

“We make events, we offer space for debates – but I really wonder: How can it be that we have to be under police protection?” Andrea Reinhardt, one of many three operators, asks this query at a gathering this week not solely the friends, but additionally politics. Felix Klein, the Federal Government’s anti -Semitism consultant, and Neukölln’s district mayor Martin Hikel got here to the Bajszel. Your go to is a gesture of solidarity – but additionally a response to a collection of assaults that the restaurant has been hit for months.

The record of incidents is lengthy: paving stones flew into the window pane – the pane didn’t break as a result of it consists of security glass. Locks are glued, in September there was an arson assault, whereas one of many operators and friends have been nonetheless within the pub. They are more and more insulted as a “Jewish children’s murderer”. Unknown folks enter the store and name slogans like “Fuck Israel”, “Viva Hamas”, “Death to the Jews”, “Destroy Israel”. Even those that solely get nearer to the restaurant shall be hostile.

The siege of the pub shifted to the road – proper in entrance of the doorway. According to the operators, Islamists, Maoists and neo -Nazis commonly collect there. Groups that might hardly be extra totally different of their ideology and meet right here with a typical enemy picture. “You think that all groups cannot be together – but connects Jewish hatred,” says Alexander Carstuc, one of many operators. For him it’s clear: “These are not propalestinic activists, but Hamas supporters.” Her hate, he says, not solely directed in opposition to Jews, but additionally in opposition to queer folks and secular Muslims – precisely those that discovered their shelter within the Bajszel.

Again and once more crimson triangles seem on the window pane – an emblem that the terrorist group Hamas makes use of to mark its enemies and potential strings. “Nobody should say that it is just a smear,” says Felix Klein throughout his go to. The image has now been banned. But that alone isn’t sufficient. Klein calls for extra judgments with regards to anti -Semitism and a greater coaching of the police and judiciary: “You must recognize, name and follow anti -Semitism.”

Before Klein enters the Bajszel, he went by the Sonnenallee with Hikel. What he noticed there’s “unbearable”. For him it’s clear: hate begins with phrases. And phrases result in motion – as within the case of the Jewish pupil Lahav Shapira, who was brutally crushed up. The perpetrator has now been sentenced to a few years in jail. It is unacceptable {that a} pub just like the Bajszel – which is just proven in solidarity with Jews with Jews – is a goal. “Anyone who attacks the Bajszel attacks our open society,” says Klein. Of course, one can critically focus on the politics of Israel, additionally within the Gaza Strip and ask the query of proportionality. But it couldn’t be that people who find themselves dedicated to anti -Semitism are held liable for the motion of the Israeli authorities. At the tip of his go to, Klein attracts a comparability: the pub in Sonnenallee reminds him of the indomitable Gallic village from the Asterix comics. “Giving up is not an option,” he says.

Martin Hikel additionally speaks plain textual content. Since October 7, 2023, Neukölln has been a “hotspot for anti -Semitic attacks”. Sympathy for Hamas is brazenly expressed – for instance by distributing sweets. Anti -Semitic narrative could be nicely obtained in sure milieus, usually below the guise of criticism of Israel. The district workplace supported actors from the Arab community-including an Arabic faculty that publicly positioned itself in opposition to the Hamas terror and was below strain. Mosque associations have been additionally addressed. But her reply was “very behavior”, says Hikel. “They did not want to participate because in their view it was too political.”

The operators of the Bajszel are at a loss. Events on matters equivalent to racism or feminism run with out incidents, however with regards to anti -Semitism you want a safety service. “All dams break on this topic,” it says. The psychological strain is excessive. A Jewish worker terminated as a result of menace state of affairs. However, the operators don’t wish to present worry. “We don’t hide,” they are saying. They solely have an “increased attention level”, however the employees very a lot placed on kettle driving.

In the assaults, focused makes an attempt to hurt the operation are economically harmed. Bad Google critiques are piling up. The well being division was knowledgeable anonymously. “In the reviews, it says that our beer is warm – which can not be absolutely,” says Andrea Reinhard and falls into nice laughter.

It is necessary to them to emphasise that the Bajszel is not only Israeli solidar. Palestinians additionally discover house right here – particularly those that undergo from Hamas even from the phobia. Just a few days earlier than the go to, an occasion with Palestinian refugees from Gaza occurred that fled from Hamas. The hostility was additionally geared toward them – and they’re signaled in Neukölln: “You have no place here.”

The operators emphasize that anti -Semitism in Neukölln didn’t solely begin on October seventh. “An anti -Semitic basic climate dominates in Neukölln, which also existed before October 7,” says Carstuc. “We have been warning of it for years and emphasizing that Jewish people are afraid here.” The terrorist assault of Hamas, nevertheless, brought about important radicalization. Since then, Hamas and Intifada symbolism has “dominated the streets”. There have been focused assaults on Hebrew-speaking folks, plus appearances of open terror supporters.

This afternoon, all friends emphasize that anti -Semitism in Berlin isn’t restricted to Neukölln. There are additionally common assaults in different districts. However, in response to small, generalizations will not be useful. “There is nothing to say: Only right -wing extremists are sitting in Lausitz – exactly such attributions do not help in Neukölln either.” But what stays: a pub that doesn’t give means. And a query that summarizes all the things – and has not but obtained a passable reply: “How can it be that we are under police protection?”