Germany’s largest police union has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Jewish communities and combating rising antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attack. Jochen Kopelke, head of the German Police Union (GdP), has called for expanded police powers to crack down on antisemitic hate crimes, warning of the dangers posed by extremists across the political spectrum, reports Israel Hayom.
Kopelke stressed the urgency of confronting antisemitism, particularly as pro-Hamas demonstrations continue in German cities. “We serve as the last line of defence in the streets against Hamas supporters. If we fail to stop them – they will overflow the streets and bring back dangers we’ve already witnessed in German history,” he told Israel Hayom.
He acknowledged that Jewish communities now fear walking openly in certain areas, stating that “there are areas where Jews and LGBTQ+ community members face genuine threats. As a police officer, I find this situation absolutely unacceptable.”
Kopelke, who began his police career securing synagogues, outlined the urgent need for expanded law enforcement authority. “We need unified standards for German police forces, enabling firm action against lawbreakers, preventing situations where we observe demonstrations without authority to address criminal behaviour.”
He highlighted the challenges posed by Germany’s federal system, where different states apply varying restrictions on police tactics. For example, Bavaria allows artificial intelligence to help identify suspects, while Berlin does not. This disparity, he argued, hinders effective policing at large-scale antisemitic protests.
Kopelke condemned the growing number of pro-Hamas demonstrations, stating that “these protests create the impression that support for October 7 is tolerated.” He insisted that symbols and rhetoric linked to the attack must be banned, including the chant “From the river to the sea.”
He also addressed the rise in antisemitic incidents, which have doubled in the past year. “We see threats, hate crimes, and antisemitic graffiti. Lifelong Jewish residents suddenly fear walking our streets. While we’ve strengthened security at Jewish institutions, we need better legislation to protect our society from those who make it unsafe for others.”
With Germany’s Bundestag set to introduce stricter laws against Islamist terrorism and antisemitic hate speech, Kopelke expressed hope for progress. He pointed to Denmark’s police monitoring of social media as a model for tackling online incitement, advocating for similar measures in Germany.
“German police officers reject passive observation – they seek active engagement against these threats to ensure a better society and sustained Jewish life in Germany,” he concluded.
Kopelke’s call for stricter laws and stronger police action reflects growing concerns that Germany’s historical commitment to protecting Jews is at risk. As antisemitic incidents rise, his message is clear: the German police will not tolerate hate.
Photo credit: GdP/Kay Herschelmann
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