A German hardware store owner has been served with a formal ban, preventing him from displaying a deeply offensive and explicitly antisemitic sign on his business premises.
The controversial notice, which was displayed in the window of a hardware store in the Pankow district of northeast Berlin, explicitly stated that Jewish customers were not welcome. It read: "Attention: Jews are not welcome here! We reserve the right to refuse service."
Local authorities in the German capital acted swiftly following a public outcry and numerous complaints. The Berlin State Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the act as a clear instance of incitement to hatred, a criminal offence under German law.
The shopkeeper, a known far-right extremist with previous convictions, now faces severe legal repercussions if he defies the order and displays the sign again. The ban was issued by the local state government, which stated the sign was a blatant violation of human dignity and a direct attack on the city's Jewish community.
This incident has sparked renewed debate in Germany about the alarming rise of overt antisemitism and far-right extremism, particularly in the aftermath of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Community leaders have praised the authorities' swift action but have also called for continued vigilance.
