The Berlin police have asked the public to assist with information about an antisemitic verbal attack and physical injury against a German-American Jew that occurred on the morning of September 13, in Mariendorf and have published a photo of the suspect.
The Berlin Police has asked the public to assist with information about an antisemitic verbal and physical attack against a German-American rabbi on September 13, in Mariendorf. The department published a photo of the suspect
“The incident happened on the mezzanine level of the Westphalweg underground station,” the announcement reads. “The previously unknown suspect is said to have suddenly given a 43-year-old man who was traveling with his son a push in the upper left arm and also insulted him with antisemitic [remarks]. Then the unknown man is said to have boarded a train on the U 6 line,” the police said.
The story of Rabbi Ariel Kirzon
Ariel Kirzon who suffered a bruised shoulder is the state rabbi of the Jewish community in Potsdam. The Jerusalem Post reported on the incident in September.
He told the Post that “We were on the way to the doctor, as my son had an appointment... I received an anticipated call from the Israeli Embassy and therefore was speaking in Hebrew,” he explained.
Berlin Police asked that those "who can provide information on the identity and/or whereabouts of the suspected man," should contact them. "Witnesses are asked to contact the state security service at the State Criminal Police Office on (030) 4664-953528 or by email at LKA535@polizei.berlin.de."
Kirzon told the Post in September that he was speaking on his phone in Hebrew to the Israeli embassy and was wearing tzitzit when he exited the station.
He told the Post that “We were on the way to the doctor, as my son had an appointment... I received an anticipated call from the Israeli Embassy and therefore was speaking in Hebrew,” he explained.
“We were about to go up an escalator and then somebody pushed me so hard, he literally turned me around. I was in shock. I didn’t say a word,” he added.
All that Kirzon said he could remember is that the attacker yelled “Jew,” but 13-year-old Levi, his son, told him afterward that he actually yelled “rotten Jew” at him.
The investigations are being conducted by the State Security Police at the State Criminal Police Office. Kirzon told the Post on Wednesday that he is happy that the police is finally looking for the predator, but “unfortunately it took four months,” for them to do so.