Bullet Holes Discovered at Rabbi’s Home Next to Synagogue in Essen, Germany

Four bullet holes were discovered at the rabbi’s residence next to the Old Synagogue in Essen, Germany, on Friday, prompting a large-scale police response and investigation.

No one was injured in the incident.

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said he was “shocked by this latest attack on Jewish life in Germany.”

“Antisemitism must have no place,” Buschmann declared. “It is our duty to protect Jewish life.”

It was reported that the shooting was recorded by security cameras, but no suspect has been identified or arrested as of yet.

U.S. Ambassador to Germany Amy Gutmann tweeted, “We strongly condemn the reported attack on the Alte Synagogue in Essen. We stand with our German partners and the Jewish community against antisemitism, hate, and violence.”

We strongly condemn the reported attack on the Alte Synagogue in Essen. We stand with our German partners and the Jewish community against antisemitism, hate, and violence.

— Ambassador Amy Gutmann (@USAmbGermany) November 19, 2022

The number of antisemitic incidents recorded in Germany in 2021 totaled 2,738, up nearly 40% from the 1,957 of the previous year, mirroring a global rise in Jew-hatred, according to an annual data report published by the country’s Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS).

In October 2019, a neo-Nazi gunman attempted to attack a synagogue in Halle, Germany, during Yom Kippur services. He was unable to gain entry to the synagogue, but he shot dead two passersby before ultimately being apprehended by police. He was later tried and sentenced to life in prison.