Antisemitic attack in Halle: Jewish students report death threats in Halle

Jewish students in Germany have reported receiving death threats after blocking access to a synagogue in Halle for an AfD politician. The incident occurred during a commemoration event marking the seven-year anniversary of a right-wing terrorist attack on the synagogue. According to the Jewish Students' Union of Germany (JSUD), members received increased hostility and hate speech following their action. Ron Dekel, president of the JSUD, stated that since the protest at the synagogue in Halle, the group has faced more attacks and even death threats. He defended the action taken nearly a week ago on the day of remembrance for the anti-Semitic attack. Dekel emphasized that far-right extremists have no place in a synagogue, noting that such individuals contribute to making such attacks possible through their rhetoric. He added that they should not be present before survivors and families of victims who are mourning. Dekel also addressed the debate over antisemitism in government formation in Berlin. He highlighted that the Left Party poses a significant threat to Jewish life in Berlin. He urged potential coalition partners, the SPD and Greens, to consider this issue. Dekel noted that statistically, far-right antisemitism, as seen with the AfD, presents the greatest danger to Jewish lives in Germany. However, he criticized all parties for using the antisemitism accusation for political purposes. The AfD is classified as far-right in Saxony-Anhalt and won the regional election in September. Tillschneider, vice-president of the new legislature in Magdeburg, sharply criticized the students' stance and clarified that he had never opposed Jewish life. He emphasized that there is a Jewish-German culture that is part of German culture. Police in Halle are investigating the blockade, which took place during the commemoration event. They confirmed that investigations are underway against unnamed individuals suspected of insulting Tillschneider by calling him a "Nazi." The police stated that there is suspicion that Tillschneider was called a "Nazi" during the human chain outside the synagogue entrance. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the insult actually occurred and under what specific circumstances. The police initiated the investigation independently, meaning no one filed a complaint. Tillschneider revealed the investigation in a statement in the legislature, stating he did not file a complaint. Neither the police nor Tillschneider explained how he learned about the investigation. Igor Matviyets, who participated in the human chain, expressed relief at living in a rule of law country where the police investigate matters. He hoped the human chain would inspire others to take small acts of resistance. He mentioned resisting AfD policies in schools and administrative bodies. Since the AfD's press release, Ron Dekel has received numerous death threats. He linked these threats directly to the content of the press release. The AfD referred to "left-wing students" instead of acknowledging the Jewish identity of the participants. This, according to Dekel, denied them the right to be present, leading to the exposure of Jews to hatred and death threats. He pointed out the historical continuity in Germany regarding such issues. Tillschneider has previously been associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories and historical revisionism. He often described remembering the Holocaust as a "guilt cult." He claimed that the Central Council of Jews uses Islam to promote multicultural conditions in Germany, weakening German culture and ultimately aiming to eliminate the German population. The terrorist from Halle also spread similar views about alleged "population exchange."