German officials have condemned a local shop owner in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, for displaying an anti-Semitic sign that banned Jews from entering his store, sparking outrage and calls for immediate action against antisemitism. Hans-Velten Reisch, a 60-year-old store owner, posted the controversial sign, which read, “Jews are banned from entering here! Nothing personal. No antisemitism. Just can’t stand you.” While Reisch defended his actions, citing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, state authorities have taken legal steps against him, including filing criminal complaints and launching an investigation for incitement of hatred.
The Schleswig-Holstein Minister of Culture, Dorit Stenke, and Gerhard Ulrich, the state’s antisemitism commissioner, issued a joint statement condemning the incident, calling it a “frightening signal” that threatens democratic principles. They emphasized the need for decisive action against antisemitism, noting the alarming rise in such incidents in the state. Reisch was informed by police to remove the sign, but his comments and actions have fueled concerns about the growing influence of antisemitism in Germany. Critics argue that the incident reflects a broader pattern of rising Jew-hatred, with 588 antisemitic incidents reported in 2024—a 390 percent increase from 2023.
Ulrich, however, has faced criticism for his past statements and role in promoting anti-Israel sentiments. Former Bishop Gerhard Ulrich, who now serves as the state’s antisemitism commissioner, has been accused of legitimizing antisemitism. Rabbi Abraham Cooper, of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, has warned that Ulrich “is unfit to denounce the very antisemitism that he unfortunately legitimized and helped to spread.” Meanwhile, Israel continues its military operation in Gaza, which began after Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties, including American citizens. The state’s response to Reisch’s actions and the broader debate over antisemitism highlight the complex tensions within German society concerning Israel and the Jewish community.