Berlin Police Chief Tells Jews, LGBTQs to Be Cautious in Arab Neighborhoods

In Berlin, Germany, Police Chief Barbara Slowik warned Jewish and LGBTQ residents to exercise caution in neighborhoods with significant Arab populations. 

Key Quote: Slowik told the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung, “There are areas of the city, we need to be perfectly honest here, where I would advise people who wear a kippah or are openly gay to be more careful. Certain neighborhoods, where the majority of people of Arab origin live, also have sympathies for terrorist groups and are often openly hostile towards Jews.”

The Details: Since October 7 last year, Slowik said her department has investigated over 6,200 antisemitic complaints, mainly involving social media posts and some property damage. Of the 1,300 violent crimes reviewed, most targeted police during anti-Israel protests.

For Context: In June, Reuters (Center bias) reported that antisemitic incidents in Germany have risen 83% this year. Last week, a Jewish youth football team was given police protection after it said it was “hunted down” by a group of Arab youths with knives. 

The Debate: In the past, some have accused Germans who have expressed concerns over Arab migration to the country as “racist” or “anti-immigration.” In September, both far right and far left parties notched historic election results in German provinces, largely off the back of anti-immigration platforms.

How the Media Covered It: Israeli outlet Haaretz (Lean Left bias) was the only outlet from the left AllSides found to cover the story. Berliner Zeitung’s interview with Slowik focused more on the danger presented to Jews than LGBTQ people, which was reflected in English-language media coverage.