Local leaders are appalled after an antisemitic sign banning Jewish people from a store was found in northern Germany.
The sign was posted in a store in Flensburg and read, “Jews are banned from entering here!!!” according to a joint statement from the Minister of Culture Dorit Stenke and antisemitism Commissioner of the State of Schleswig-Holstein Dr. Gerhard Ulrich.
“A sign that denies Jews access to a store is a frightening signal and an attack on the principles of our free coexistence,” Stenke said in the statement. “We cannot allow such things to continue in our society and must take decisive action against it together. Antisemitism is a threat to our democracy and must not be tolerated in any form.”
Ulrich filed a criminal complaint for “incitement of hatred,” against the shop owner, according to the statement. The officials did not identify the business owner, or the type of business that posted the sign.
“Antisemitic hate speech like this not only hurts those affected, but also disrupts public peace. The Flensburg incident, with its contemptuous rhetoric, is fatally reminiscent of the Nazi hate speech against Jews.”
Antisemitism has been on the rise in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany’s northernmost state, according to officials. In 2024, the region saw a 390% increase in antisemitic incidents.
“We must stand together against every form of antisemitism,” Ulrich said. “The fight against antisemitism is a special responsibility that we bear as Germans.”
Stenke said “a state of action plan against antisemitism” will be adopted next year. The official did not elaborate on what the plan will entail.
