Potsdam Square Berlin. Photo: Shutterstock
The fourth case of anti-Semitism in the last few months in Berlin's capital: Last night (Friday), unknown individuals stole its branches and caused damage to the base of a Chanukiah standing in Potsdam Square.
During a special patrol by the local police of Berlin last night (Friday) in Potsdam Square, the team noticed the serious incident where all the branches of the Chanukiah standing there were stolen, and during the theft, damage was caused to the base of the Chanukiah.
The Chanukiah was meant to be dismantled yesterday but was vandalized as mentioned.
The local police stated that the state's security department (LKA) is investigating the shocking incident.
From Berlin Police's X page:
Unbekannte entwendeten sämtliche Leuchtmittel eines Chanukka-Leuchters am Potsdamer Platz & beschädigten die Bodenplatte.
— Berlin Police (@polizeiberlin) January 3, 2025
Colleagues of a special patrol noticed this last night.
The Chanukiah was supposed to be dismantled today by a company. Our state protection of the #LKA is investigating.
^tsm
This is the fourth unusual case in recent times:
Several days ago, Berlin's police reported a suspect, a Syrian citizen living in Sweden, who stabbed two men in a supermarket on Summeringstrasse. One of the injured received medical treatment and was released, while the other remains hospitalized receiving medical treatment. Berlin Police have opened a criminal investigation for attempted murder.
About two weeks ago, a security incident occurred at the Federal Police building (Landeskriminalamt) in the Tempelhof neighborhood of Berlin: Approximately 50 individuals, identified with a pro-Palestinian movement, gathered near the entrance to the police compound.
The incident escalated when a woman released from detention attempted to leave the place, while individuals from the group broke into the entrance hall of the building. There were chants using slogans prohibited under German law, presumably supporting Hamas.
Berlin Police reported that "the site's security team had to use physical force to remove the intruders from the building.
Last September, the police in Germany's capital reported a 37-year-old man attacked in the Schoneberg neighborhood of the city. According to the police report, seven people approached the man who greeted them in Hebrew, and then they began to attack him and asked if he was from Israel. After the assault, they left him at the scene and fled. The injured man took himself to the nearest hospital with injuries to his face, arms, and legs.