Berlin seems to be struggling more and more to maintain its reputation as an open, cosmopolitan, and tolerant city. A recent warning from the police commissioner of the German capital, Barbara Slowik, made headlines in international media—she advised Jews and LGBTQ+ individuals to exercise particular caution in certain areas of the city.
According to her, there are no "no-go" zones, meaning areas that are too dangerous to enter: "However, there are neighborhoods—and we must be honest here—where I would advise people who wear a kippah or are openly gay or lesbian to be more careful."
Slowik: "I wouldn't want to offend anyone, but..."
Slowik emphasized that she did not want to "slander" any specific group of people as criminals, but she was very clear: "Unfortunately, there are certain areas where the majority of residents are of Arab descent, and they also sympathize with terrorist groups. Open hostility towards Jews is expressed there towards people of Jewish faith and heritage."
Although the number of violent crimes against Jews is fortunately low, there is no doubt that every act is one too many. Meanwhile, fear and anxiety persist.
Some statistics: since October 7, 2023, the Berlin police have opened around 6,200 investigations into antisemitism and incitement to hatred.
This is a significant number considering there are 365 days in a year.
According to Slowik, this understandably heightens concerns within the community about becoming targets of attacks.
Some of these incidents take the form of online publications that incite hatred, as well as property damage and propaganda-related crimes.
Facts and figures on violent crime in Berlin
1,300 investigations into acts of violence are primarily related to assaults or resistance against police during antisemitic demonstrations.
Back in June, Slowik pointed out a fundamental issue regarding the rise of violence in Berlin.
According to her, the proportion of foreign suspects in cases of dangerous bodily harm, robberies, and knife attacks is twice that of the population in that group.
Moreover, violence in these cases is predominantly committed by men. "In robberies, 92 percent of suspects are men," the police chief noted. "In cases of dangerous bodily harm, it's over 80 percent, and nearly 90 percent in knife attacks."
With these statistics, Slowik categorically refutes claims made by those who believe that the rise in violence is a societal issue as a whole.