Woman Wearing Star of David Attacked in Berlin

A woman wearing a Star of David necklace was assaulted by two men in Berlin on Rosh Hashanah, according to the Berlin police. The incident occurred early Saturday morning on Torstrasse in the central Mitte district. Police reported that the men initially hurled antisemitic insults at the woman before one of them attacked her with a broken bottle. The woman sustained cuts on her hand while attempting to defend herself and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The investigation into the attack has been taken over by the state criminal police's national security department. No arrests have been made yet, according to reports. The assault took place during the Rosh Hashanah holiday, which began Friday evening. The historical Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue is located near the site of the attack, though it is unclear if the woman had attended services there.

This incident highlights a reported rise in antisemitism in Germany. A survey published in May by the Central Council of Jews in Germany indicated that nearly half of Jewish communities in the country experienced antisemitic incidents in the past year, including threats, hate speech, and vandalism. Jewish leaders have pointed to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, as a turning point, with 68% of community leaders reporting feeling less safe since then. Many describe a "new normal" where Jews avoid displaying religious symbols publicly, and demand for security support has increased by 63%.