Bochum is everywhere

Not long ago there was a report in a local Bochum radio station that went widely unnoted, but it was an alarming signal. According to the report, the Bochum Jewish Community advises their members from now on not to wear the kippah or other Jewish symbols in public. The reason: there have been repeated attacks in the past, when community members were identifiable as Jews on the street. In particular, Turkish and Arab migrants are responsible for the attacks, the community announces.

Reality in other German cities is not different from Bochum. In Berlin it has long been daily life for Jews, from Neukölln through Kreuzberg to Wedding, not to wear Jewish symbols in public. The same can be heard from many Jewish communities, from Kiel to Konstanz. For non-Jewish Germans the anti-Semitic excesses of Muslim migrants might come as a surprise. For the Jewish community they are part of life.

CLARITY. It is all the more important to point out in all clarity and without prohibitions of speech: the Muslim community has an enormous problem with anti-Semitism in their own ranks. The hatred for Israel, the abhorrence of everything Jewish, is not seen as anything offensive by many Arabs and Turks in Germany. But when the desecration of Israeli flags by the anti-Semitic mob in Berlin in front of everyone’s eyes goes unpunished, along with cheers for the massacre of a Jewish tribe that Mohammed’s army once committed, then this is highly dangerous.

Contrary to what has happened, the police should intervene immediately and with all toughness. The only answer should be: a strong rule of law, consequent intervention, a clear naming of the problem, and more than just trite “Never again!” phrases.

When politicians such as Sigmar Gabriel demand “zero tolerance” in their Sunday speeches concerning such excesses, but on all other days of the week tolerate the hate, then something has gone very wrong in Bochum, Berlin and in many other German cities, where aggressive Muslims try to make Jewish life impossible.

Via Weasel Zippers