Signs of Israeli Sister City Partnership Vandalized in Germany, Antisemitism Suspected
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Signs marking the German city of Gießen's partnership with Netanya, Israel, were removed from three locations, prompting the Gießen-Netanya Partnership Association to suspect anti-Israel antisemitism and a political motive. The city administration condemned the act and plans to file a police report, though one sign has since been recovered. The partnership, established in 1978, has historical roots tied to a former Gießen resident who became mayor of Netanya.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Signs of the Gießen-Netanya sister city partnership were removed from three locations in Gießen, Germany.
- The Gießen-Netanya Partnership Association suspects anti-Israel antisemitism and a political motive behind the vandalism.
- The city administration condemned the removals and will file a police report.
- One of the three removed signs has since been recovered.
- The Gießen-Netanya partnership was established in 1978 and has historical significance.
In Gießen, Germany, signs indicating the city's partnership with Netanya, Israel, have been removed from three locations. The Gießen-Netanya Partnership Association expressed outrage, calling the targeted removal of the plaques an "attack on reconciliation between Jews and Germans" and suspecting a political motive, possibly linked to anti-Israel antisemitism. The association stated that the act aims to erase their Israeli sister city from Gießen's public view, emphasizing that this is not about criticism of Israeli government policy but rather a manifestation of rampant, Israel-related antisemitism.
The first missing plaque was discovered Monday on a sign at Steinberger Weg, which lists Gießen's partner cities with their flags and founding years. Parts of the mounting were found beneath the sign. Subsequent checks revealed that signs at Wißmarer Weg and Krofdorfer Straße had also been dismantled. However, signs on four major arterial roads remained undamaged, likely due to higher traffic density increasing the risk of detection for perpetrators.
The city administration has been informed of the incidents. A spokesperson for the city of Gießen condemned the act, stating that while they would not speculate on the motive, the city would file a police report and hopes for the case to be solved. The city affirmed its commitment to remembering the important partnership and highlighting Jewish life.
As of Thursday morning, the police had not yet received a formal complaint, though the incident was known. Fortunately, one of the removed signs reappeared Wednesday, leaning against a wall near the canoe rental on the Lahn river, believed to be the one from Krofdorfer Straße. The city will not need to replace all three signs.
The partnership between Gießen and Netanya holds historical significance. Abraham Bar-Menachem, originally from Gießen, emigrated to Mandatory Palestine in the 1930s due to Nazi persecution and later became mayor of Netanya. He initiated contacts with Gießen in the 1960s, leading to the establishment of one of the first German-Israeli city partnerships in 1978. The association views this connection as a symbol of reconciliation and urges the city to reaffirm its commitment to the partnership, especially in light of recent events.