In Offenbach, unknown individuals sprayed the slogan “Free Gaza” onto the outer wall of the city’s synagogue. The incident, which occurred around 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, has sparked widespread outrage. According to police, a laser pointer was also aimed at the synagogue during the incident, further raising concerns about intimidation.
The magistrate of the City of Offenbach strongly condemned the act, describing it as a politically motivated provocation. Mayor Felix Schwenke (SPD) contacted the board of the Jewish community and spoke personally with Rabbi Mendel Gurewitz. In an official statement, Schwenke declared: “Once again, the Jewish community has become a target of hatred and rejection as a religious minority. This is absolutely unacceptable, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. This is a deliberate attempt to intimidate our fellow Jewish citizens, and we will not allow it to go unanswered.”
“The Jewish Community Is Part of Offenbach”
Deputy Mayor Sabine Groß (Greens), Finance Officer Martin Wilhelm (SPD), and City Councillor Paul-Gerhard Weiß (FDP) joined Mayor Schwenke in condemning the incident: “We stand firmly with the Jewish community. It belongs to Offenbach. We strongly oppose efforts to import foreign conflicts into our city in such an unacceptable manner.”
The statement acknowledged that the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel was “unprecedented and abhorrent” and that images from Gaza may trigger anger and distress, leading some to criticize the Israeli government. “But that has nothing to do with the Jewish community in Offenbach,” the officials emphasized. “We are grateful that the Jewish community is part of Offenbach.”
Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. The graffiti has since been removed.
