German woman in Bournemouth reportedly tells daughter of Holocaust survivors “We cannot answer you, we are German and we cannot answer Jews”

A Jewish woman who is the daughter of Holocaust survivors was allegedly told by a woman to whom she had asked a question: “We cannot answer you. We are German and we cannot answer Jews.” The disturbing incident reportedly took place by the esplanade in Bournemouth.

According to the alleged victim, who was visiting Bournemouth from Stamford Hill in London, she was sitting with her daughter when she noticed three women approaching: a short woman aged approximately 80, and two tall younger women who looked very much alike. The alleged victim and her daughter asked whether the two younger women were twins. As they came near, the alleged victim asked: “Excuse me, but may I ask you something?” The oldest woman stopped and answered in a German accent: “We cannot answer you. We are German and we cannot answer Jews.”

The alleged victim said that the incident shocked her so much that she could not move initially. “Something has happened to me since.” She said that before she was trusting with strangers and smiled easily, but now she expects hostility. She initially received support from Stamford Hill Shomrim, which then referred the case to Campaign Against Antisemitism.

This incident has been reported to the police. We are following developments closely.