by Maayana Miskin
(Israelnationalnews.com) A Jewish dance group was attacked in Germany last Saturday while performing during a street festival in Hanover. The incident led to discussion this week of the phenomenon of anti-Semitism among immigrant youth.
Members of the Haverim dance group were pelted with stones as they took the stage. One dancer was injured. As youth threw stones, they screamed “Juden Raus” (Jews out).
Six suspects ranging in age from nine to 19 have been identified. Five of the six are Muslim immigrants.
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said the incident showed the “widespread” hatred of Jews and Israel in Germany's Muslim immigrant community. “It particularly saddens me that those anti-Semitic views can already be seen with such vehemence among children and youths,” she told the Die Welt newspaper.
Another Central Council member, Stephan Kramer, expressed concern, telling the Associated Press, “This latest incident shows something we have not experienced before: A growing radicalization of young Muslims, which affects not only the Jewish community but the entire German community.”
Hanover Mayor Stephan Weil said his city had filed charges against the attackers. They stand accused of incitement to racial hatred and causing bodily harm.
Jewish organizations in Germany said anti-Semitic incidents had been unusually frequent in recent weeks following a clash between IDF commandos and members of a Turkish terrorist group. The clash took place at sea as the Turkish citizens, along with other foreigners, attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Attacks based on anti-Israel hatred were not unheard of prior to the flotilla clash either: In May, attackers set fire to a synagogue in western Germany, leaving a letter that said, “Until you leave Palestinians alone, we won't leave you alone.”
Members of the Haverim dance group were pelted with stones as they took the stage. One dancer was injured. As youth threw stones, they screamed “Juden Raus” (Jews out).
Six suspects ranging in age from nine to 19 have been identified. Five of the six are Muslim immigrants.
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said the incident showed the “widespread” hatred of Jews and Israel in Germany's Muslim immigrant community. “It particularly saddens me that those anti-Semitic views can already be seen with such vehemence among children and youths,” she told the Die Welt newspaper.
Another Central Council member, Stephan Kramer, expressed concern, telling the Associated Press, “This latest incident shows something we have not experienced before: A growing radicalization of young Muslims, which affects not only the Jewish community but the entire German community.”
Hanover Mayor Stephan Weil said his city had filed charges against the attackers. They stand accused of incitement to racial hatred and causing bodily harm.
Jewish organizations in Germany said anti-Semitic incidents had been unusually frequent in recent weeks following a clash between IDF commandos and members of a Turkish terrorist group. The clash took place at sea as the Turkish citizens, along with other foreigners, attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.
Attacks based on anti-Israel hatred were not unheard of prior to the flotilla clash either: In May, attackers set fire to a synagogue in western Germany, leaving a letter that said, “Until you leave Palestinians alone, we won't leave you alone.”
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