Process in Berlin: Jewish student seriously injured after attack

Process in Berlin: Jewish student seriously injured after attack

On February 2, 2024, a brutal attack on the 32-year-old Jewish student Lahav Shapira occurred in a bar in Berlin-Mitte. The 24-year-old Mustafa el-h. A. has now been brought to court. The start of the trial took place on April 9, 2025, and the accused largely admitted the crime, but denied an anti -Semitic motive. He is charged by the public prosecutor for dangerous bodily harm because he hit Shapira in the face and kicked him head -on, which led to serious injuries. Shapira had to be treated in the hospital for four days and underwent several operations. According to reports, Shapira remains on the face due to his injuries with metal plates and is forced to use personal protection because he no longer feels safe.

The dispute that led to the attack broke out over pro-Palestinian posters that Shapira had removed. The prosecutor Tim Kaufmann considers the attack to be anti -Semitically and refers to a picture that the accused had shared on Snapchat and which shows the crime scene with an insulting sub -line. However, the origin of this picture remains unclear. The co -action requests an assessment of chat groups from which anti -Semitic content may arise.

The background of the attack

lahav shapira appeared as a co -plaintiff in the process and reported on the traumatic consequences of the attack. His statements were reinforced by a companion. The process is to take place in two days of negotiations, with the next appointment on April 17, 2025. The presiding judge made it clear that the sentence without an anti -Semitic motive would probably be limited to a probation penalty of six months to ten years. The accused has now completed anti-violence training and is in therapeutic treatment. It offers a perpetrator-victim compensation of 5,500 euros that are to be paid in monthly installments.

Shapira also filed a lawsuit against the Free University of Berlin because he believes that the university is responsible for tolerating an anti -Semitic mood. The university had given the accused a three-month ban on house, while he was still allowed to participate in online events. The Jewish Student Union Germany (JSUD) criticized the university's reaction and demands more measures against anti -Semitism, since many Jewish students have no longer felt safe at universities in Germany since October 7, 2023.

anti -Semitism at German universities

A study published on February 27, 2025 describes the explosive situation for Jewish students at German universities. The report, published by the American Jewish Committee Berlin and the Jewish Student Union Germany, documents anti -Semitism as a serious problem. Many students feel forced by anti -Semitic incidents to hide their identity or even stay away. The universities partially recognize the problem, but there is a lack of effective prevention and intervention structures.

The Jewish student union asks the universities and politics to take effective measures to make universities again for safe places for everyone. Anti -Semitism is not only described as a danger for Jewish people, but also affects academic freedom and the right to freedom of expression. Therefore, the report appeals to non -Jewish students and members of the universities to actively act against hatred of Jews and to work for respectful coexistence.