On February 22, 2025, Berlin police revealed that the suspect in a stabbing at the Holocaust Memorial had antisemitic intentions. Authorities have identified the assailant as a 19-year-old Syrian refugee, who is under investigation for attempted murder and bodily harm. Reports indicate he has harboured a desire to kill Jews for several weeks prior to the attack.
The attack took place on a Friday evening when a 30-year-old Spanish tourist was severely injured after being stabbed in the neck from behind at approximately 6 p.m. local time. While the victim has since been placed in an artificial coma, he is no longer in critical condition, according to police statements.
The assailant arrived in Germany in 2023 as an unaccompanied minor, secured asylum, and resided in Leipzig, Saxony. Notably, he had no previous record with law enforcement. This incident coincides with a significant electoral period, just two days before elections addressing migration and security concerns.
Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial honours the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, designed by architects Peter Eisenman and Buro Happold. The site, comprising nearly 3,000 stone blocks, is a prominent tourist attraction located near the Brandenburg Gate.
Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, antisemitism incidents rose sharply in Berlin, as highlighted by the RIAS antisemitism monitoring group. In a related and concerning trend, police recently detained an 18-year-old Russian national suspected of plotting an attack on the Israeli embassy in the city.
The suspect in the Berlin stabbing at the Holocaust Memorial is a 19-year-old Syrian refugee with antisemitic motives, according to police. The attack injured a Spanish tourist, who is now stable after being placed in an artificial coma. This incident comes amidst rising antisemitism in Berlin and just days before elections focusing on migration and security.
The stabbing incident at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, rooted in antisemitic motives, marks a disturbing event just before significant elections focusing on migration and security. The suspect, a Syrian refugee, had planned this crime, reflecting a broader rise in antisemitic sentiments in the city. As authorities continue their investigations, the impact of these acts on societal safety remains a pressing concern.
Original Source: www.dw.com
