German police have arrested a 37-year-old Afghan national suspected of attempting to set fire to a synagogue in Wuppertal, western Germany, Israel National news reports
The incident, which caused minimal damage and no injuries, has prompted renewed concern about antisemitic violence in the country, with Germany’s leading Jewish representative warning of the “progressive normalization of hatred towards Jews”.
According to police, the suspect allegedly poured a flammable liquid onto the steps outside the synagogue on Thursday before setting it alight.
Authorities said he then “apparently attempted to set a secondary entrance on fire”. Members of the synagogue quickly extinguished the flames before the fire could spread further.
No one was injured during the incident, and authorities described the resulting damage as minimal.
Police detained the suspect close to the synagogue immediately afterwards. Authorities described him as a 37-year-old Afghan national who was already known to police.
Initial findings indicate that the suspect acted alone. Authorities have not yet announced a motive, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspected arson attack is continuing.
Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, condemned the incident and said it reflected a wider deterioration in the environment facing the country’s Jewish community.
Schuster said the attempted attack demonstrated “the progressive normalization of hatred towards Jews” in Germany.
The incident comes amid continuing concern about antisemitic threats and violence in the country, with recent cases involving suspected perpetrators from different ideological backgrounds.
Earlier in September, German police opened an investigation after death threats were directed at 93-year-old Holocaust survivor Charlotte Knobloch, chair of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria and one of Germany’s most prominent Jewish leaders.
The threats were discovered on 9 September after a witness reported white graffiti on a park bench and rubbish bin in Munich’s English Garden. The graffiti reportedly referred to Knobloch and followed her criticism of the right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.
Knobloch subsequently cancelled plans to attend a public event as an audience member after learning about the threat.
Another antisemitic attack took place in Berlin earlier this month when a 43-year-old Jewish woman was allegedly targeted because she was visibly wearing a Star of David.
Two people reportedly confronted the woman after noticing the Jewish symbol and subjected her to antisemitic abuse. One of the attackers then allegedly assaulted her with a broken glass bottle. The woman suffered cuts to her hand while attempting to defend herself and required hospital treatment.
The suspected arson attack in Wuppertal adds to concerns about the security of Jewish people and institutions in Germany. Although the fire was extinguished before serious damage could occur, the alleged attempt to ignite both the synagogue steps and a secondary entrance has again highlighted the vulnerability of visibly Jewish institutions amid persistently high levels of antisemitic hostility.
Photo credit: iStock
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