“This is not an isolated incident, this is disgusting antisemitism and we must all oppose it”: Jewish man attacked outside Hamburg synagogue

A 26-year-old Jewish man was attacked outside a synagogue in Hamburg on Sunday evening as members of the local community celebrated the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

The attack happened outside Hamburg’s Hohe Weide Synagogue. The victim was attacked with a shovel by a man dressed in military fatigues. The synagogue’s security personnel intervened and the attacker was taken into custody by police. Germany’s DPA news agency reported that the suspect, who is aged 29 and a German of Kazakh heritage, had a picture of a swastika in his pocket.

The victim, who suffered serious head injuries, was admitted to a local hospital.

A police spokesperson said that the motive for the attack was still under investigation, although German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas denounced the attack in a tweet, saying: “This is not an isolated incident, this is disgusting antisemitism and we must all oppose it”.

The suspect was “extremely confused” and investigators were unable immediately to question him. The suspect, who appeared to be acting alone, was accused of causing grievous bodily harm.

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