Former IDF soldier attacked in Berlin - report

The Israeli man was immediately treated by rescue workers and reported the incident to the police, who opened up an investigation.

People rest at the east side Gallery in Berlin, Germany March 17, 2020 (photo credit: MICHELE TANTUSSI/REUTERS)
People rest at the east side Gallery in Berlin, Germany March 17, 2020
(photo credit: MICHELE TANTUSSI/REUTERS)

A former IDF soldier was attacked in Berlin in what local police call an antisemitic incident, according to German reports.

The Israeli, a 29-year-old Berlin resident, was wearing an IDF emblem on his sweater and was asked about his religion by the attacker on Friday evening. He was sprayed with tear gas and pushed to the ground by the attacker once he answered. The assailant fled the scene. 

The Israeli man was immediately treated and reported the incident to the police, who opened up an investigation.  

The attack took place outside the Nollendorfplatz train station east of the city.

People attend a national gathering to protest antisemitism and the rise of antisemitic attacks in the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, February 19, 2019. The writing on the sign reads: ''Antisemitism, islamophobia, racism - not in our name'' (credit: REUTERS/GONZALO FUENTES)
People attend a national gathering to protest antisemitism and the rise of antisemitic attacks in the Place de la Republique in Paris, France, February 19, 2019. The writing on the sign reads: ''Antisemitism, islamophobia, racism - not in our name'' (credit: REUTERS/GONZALO FUENTES)

Earlier this month, one of Berlin's soccer clubs, FC Union Berlin, played against Israeli team Maccabi Haifa in the German capital, with fans of the Berlin team reportedly making antisemitic gestures and slurs towards fans of the Israeli team.

The German club condemned the attack on their website.