Berlin's State Security Division is probing an anti‑Semitic incident after Rabbi Shlomo Afanasev posted video footage showing a man making a Nazi salute and allegedly threatening a prominent member of the Kahal Adass Jisroel community en route to a synagogue. A photo shared by Afanasev shows a suspect in a police car, and he said one person was detained. Police say the case is under active investigation and declined to release further details. The Israeli embassy reposted the images and urged society to condemn the behaviour.
Video Shows Nazi Salute as Rabbi Threatened in Central Berlin — Police Investigate
FILE PHOTO - Military Rabbi Shlomo Afanasev wears a tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl, during his speech after his inauguration as Orthodox military rabbi of the Jewish military chaplaincy for Berlin and Brandenburg in the Henning-von-Tresckow barracks. (is associated with: «Jewish man subjected to anti-Semitic abuse on Berlin street») Carsten Koall/dpa
Berlin's State Security Division is investigating an anti-Semitic incident after a video circulated showing a man giving a Nazi salute and allegedly threatening a Jewish community leader in the city centre.
What Happened
Rabbi Shlomo Afanasev, a council member of the Kahal Adass Jisroel (Congregation of Israel) community, posted footage on the platform X (formerly Twitter) showing a young man making the Nazi salute in public. Afanasev wrote that a leading member of his community was threatened with death while on the way to the synagogue.
The video and accompanying account say the suspect and a companion hurled anti‑Semitic insults at the victim. A photograph shared by Afanasev shows a suspect seated in a police car with an officer standing nearby; Afanasev said one person was arrested.
Police comment: Authorities confirmed they are aware of the report but said the matter is under active investigation and they could not provide further details.
Israeli embassy post: "Something has changed in Germany. Young Muslim men are threatening a Jew with death on his way to the synagogue."
Context
Nazi salutes and related symbols carry profound historical weight in Germany and are subject to criminal prohibition, which heightens the seriousness with which authorities and communities treat such incidents.
Investigations by the State Security Division will determine the full circumstances and whether additional charges or arrests follow. Meanwhile, community leaders and the Israeli embassy have called for public condemnation of the behaviour.
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