Berlin Holocaust memorial stabbing
| Berlin Holocaust memorial stabbing | |
|---|---|
 Holocaust memorial in Berlin | |
| Location | Berlin Holocaust memorial site |
| Date | 21 February, 2025 6 P.M |
Attack type | Stabbing |
| Weapons | Knife |
| Injured | 1 Spanish tourist |
| Perpetrator | Wassim al M. |
| Motive | Antisemitism |
On February 21, 2025, a knife attack occurred at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial, resulting in the severe injury of a 30 year old Spanish tourist. The suspect, identified as 19 year old Syrian asylum seeker Wassim al M., was apprehended shortly after the incident. The suspect stated that he had a desire to kill Jews.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]Since the October 7 massacre in Israel, Germany has experienced a significant increase in antisemitic incidents.[4][5] The tensions in the Middle East have led to a surge in hate crimes targeting Jewish communities, institutions, and memorials across the country.[6]
German authorities arrested an 18-year-old Russian national earlier that day on suspicion of planning an attack on the Israeli Embassy in Brandenburg.[7] The suspect, reportedly of Chechen ethnicity, was believed to have connections to the Islamic State group and intended to carry out a firearms assault on the embassy. This arrest was separate from the subsequent stabbing incident at the Holocaust Memorial.[8][9]
Stabbing
[edit]The attack took place on Friday evening.[10] The attacker, armed with a hunting knife, attempted to slit the victim's throat, reportedly expressing a desire to kill Jews after the arrest.[11][12] He has planned the attack for weeks.[13][14] The assailant approached the 30 year old Spanish national from behind before stabbing him and fleeing the scene.[15] The victim was critically injured and was put into an artificial coma, which stabilized his condition. The suspect was arrested hours later, still covered in blood, and found in possession of the knife. He was carrying a prayer rug, a copy of the Quran, and the weapon in his backpack, which could suggest a religious motivation according to the Police.[16][15][17]
Perpetrator
[edit]The Perpetrator was identified as Wassim al M., a 19 year old Syrian asylum seeker.[18] The suspect arrived in Germany in 2023 as an unaccompanied minor and was granted asylum. He was living in Leipzig.[11] The interior minister of Saxony stated that he had come into contact with authorities there for “simple offenses of general criminality.”[19]
See also
[edit]- 2024 Solingen stabbings
- 2024 Mannheim stabbing
- 2025 Villach stabbing attack
- 2025 Aschaffenburg stabbing
- Antisemitism in Europe
- Antisemitism in 21st-century Germany
References
[edit]- ^ "Suspect arrested after stabbing at Berlin's Holocaust memorial". France 24. 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Syrian suspect in Berlin stabbing wanted 'to kill Jews': police". France 24. 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Suspect in Berlin stabbing is Syrian who wanted to 'kill Jews,' police say". Times of Israel. AFP. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Germany: Antisemitic incidents in Berlin rise sharply". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "28 January 2025 International Conference against antisemitism" (PDF). Bundesministerium der Justiz.
- ^ "Jews in Germany face antisemitism surge since Oct. 7 attacks". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Man stabbed at Holocaust memorial in Berlin". euronews. 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Berlin police arrest suspect in stabbing at Holocaust memorial". Reuters.
- ^ "Berlin stabbing: Suspect arrested over Holocaust memorial knife attack just hours after police handcuff teen for Israeli embassy plot". www.gbnews.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Germany berlin holocaust memorial stabbing suspect". Washingtonpost.
- ^ a b "Syrian suspect in Berlin Holocaust Memorial stabbing wanted to kill Jews, investigators say". Washingtonpost.
- ^ "Berlin Holocaust Memorial Stabbing Suspect "Planned To Kill Jews": Police". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- ^ "Suspect in Berlin stabbing wanted 'to kill Jews' — police". dw.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "Man arrested over stabbing at Berlin Holocaust memorial is 19-year-old Syrian refugee". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ a b "Berlin Holocaust Memorial attack suspect planned to kill Jewish people, police believe". www.bbc.com. 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ Sampson, Eve (2025-02-23). "'Religious Motivation' Possible in Berlin Stabbing, Police Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-23.
- ^ Yvon, Pierrick. "Man wounded in stabbing by Berlin Holocaust memorial; suspect arrested". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ Sampson, Eve; Schuetze, Christopher F. (2025-02-21). "Berlin Stabbing Attack at Holocaust Memorial Injures One". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
- ^ "German police suspect antisemitism in Holocaust memorial stabbing". Washingtonpost.