Young German Jewish Man Assaulted for Wearing Kippah

An 18-year-old Jewish man was assaulted by a group of people in Cologne, Germany on the evening of August 20 for wearing a kippah.

The German news site Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was sitting in a park with a friend when 10 people, believed to be around the ages of 18 and 19, began hurling antisemitic invectives at the victim for wearing a kippah; the group then “punched and kicked the victim before stealing his yarmulke,” according to DW. The victim was subsequently hospitalized with a broken nose and cheekbone and was released on August 21.

Two individuals, an 18- and a 19-year-old, were briefly arrested in connection to the attack before being released, although those two individuals are still considered suspects. The investigation is ongoing.

German officials condemned the assault.

“I am appalled by this horrific and cowardly attack on a young man who was violently assaulted by a group and seriously injured for apparently antisemitic motives,” Germany Federal Antisemitism Commissioner Felix Klein told the news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur. “I hope that the suspected perpetrators, who are apparently only 18 and 19 years old, will be ordered to undergo educational programs in which they will be taught the basic principles of the rule of law and of our free democratic order.”

Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker said in a statement, “In our city everyone must be able to live without fear, regardless of what religion they belong to, what worldview they have and how they live and love.”

Jewish groups similarly denounced the attack.

“This violent group attack in Germany on a young man wearing a kippah should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “We hope the police are able to identify all of the assailants.”

This violent group attack in Germany on a young man wearing a kippah should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We hope the police are able to identify all of the assailants. https://t.co/3XYJztOYqF

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) August 23, 2021

The Simon Wiesenthal Center similarly tweeted, “Violent anti-Jewish attacks in major cities in Germany, the UK, and elsewhere on both sides of the Atlantic continue as does the demonization of Israel on social media.”

Violent anti-Jewish attacks in major cities in Germany, the UK, and elsewhere on both sides of the Atlantic continue as does the demonization of Israel on social media https://t.co/gZ2doELdMa

— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) August 23, 2021

StandWithUs CEO and Co-Founder Roz Rothstein also tweeted, “A mob of 10 thugs attacked a Jewish teen in Cologne, Germany. They beat him up badly for the crime of being a Jew, and wearing his kippah. They broke his nose and his cheek bone. Disgusting. What year is this? Sending love to this victim of antisemitism.”

A mob of 10 thugs attacked a Jewish teen in Cologne, Germany. They beat him up badly for the crime of being a Jew, and wearing his kippah. They broke his nose and his cheek bone. Disgusting. What year is this? Sending love to this victim of antisemitism https://t.co/SoFJCtE1iB

— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein) August 23, 2021