Jewish Activists Doused with Paint in Frankfurt: Antisemitic Attack Shocks Germany

Yesterday, Jewish activists including Sacha Stawski, president of the anti-antisemitism organization Honestly Concerned, were assaulted with red paint while hanging posters of the 50 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Frankfurt’s Grüneburgpark. The attackers, described as masked individuals, targeted the group during a small pro-hostage rally near a pro-Palestinian encampment hosting several anti-Israel organizations. Stawski recounted the incident, stating, “They pushed me against a fence. Even the chain I wear for the hostages was stained with the paint they threw.” He added, “I suddenly heard anti-Semitic chants, we were called child murderers, and I constantly heard chants of ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘genocide.’ The paint also poured over my glasses, making it difficult for me to recognize the perpetrator.”

The attack followed an earlier confrontation that day when Stawski’s group, accompanied by members of the local Christian Democratic Union (CDU), faced harassment from a crowd of 20 to 30 people, some wearing masks resembling German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We were repeatedly pushed aside and prevented from leaving,” Stawski noted, recalling how a man with his son had to call the police for assistance. The pro-Palestinian camp’s spokesperson, Sebastian Blessing, claimed ignorance of the incident but stated, “We continue to have no problem showing solidarity with the Gaza hostages. But we also don’t understand why our event is repeatedly disrupted.” Blessing alleged that two camp members had been attacked in the past week, though no specifics were provided.

This incident reflects a broader surge in antisemitism in Germany since the Israel-Gaza war began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks, which killed 1,163 people and led to 251 abductions, 50 of whom remain trapped in Gaza. Police data indicate a 20% rise in anti-Semitic incidents in 2024, with the RIAS watchdog reporting an 83% increase in 2023 post-October 7, surpassing the entire previous year’s total. Frankfurt police have confirmed the attack and pledged to bolster their presence in the area to prevent further violence. Germany’s ambassador to Israel condemned the assault, emphasizing the need to raise awareness about the hostages’ plight. Despite the attack, Stawski remains resolute, continuing his advocacy for Israel and the hostages.