Antisemitic Sign in Flensburg Shop Triggers Widespread Outrage and Investigation

Antisemitic Sign Sparks National Condemnation in Flensburg

A sign prominently displayed in a shop window in Flensburg, Germany, declaring 'Jews are banned from here!!!! Nothing personal. Not even antisemitism. I just can't stand you,' has ignited widespread outrage and prompted an official investigation. The incident, first noticed on Wednesday afternoon, September 18, 2025, has drawn strong condemnation from local and national figures, who have likened the message to the discriminatory practices of the Nazi era.

Details of the Incident and Owner's Justification

The sign was placed in a small specialty shop, described by various reports as a used bookstore or a shop selling books and gothic antiques, owned by Hans Velten-Reisch, 60. While the sign was removed from the window by Thursday, local media indicated that the message remained visible on a wall inside the establishment. When questioned, Velten-Reisch defended his actions, claiming the sign was a response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He stated, 'Jews live in Israel, and I can't distinguish who is for or against the attacks.'

Swift and Unified Condemnation

The antisemitic display has been met with a chorus of disapproval from across the political spectrum and society:

• Felix Klein, Germany's Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight against Antisemitism, unequivocally called it 'a very clear case of antisemitism' and 'antisemitism in its purest form,' highlighting its direct references to the Nazi era.
• Flensburg Mayor Fabian Geyer stated, 'This is a reminder of the darkest chapters of Germany's history and has absolutely no place in this city.'
• Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor remarked on X, 'In Flensburg, in 2025, signs saying 'Jews not allowed' are once again hanging in shop windows. Just like then, in the streets, cafes and stores of the 1930s.'
• German Education Minister Karin Prien, who is Jewish, denounced the message as 'blatant antisemitism' and called for a 'tough crackdown.'
• Local political parties, including the Flensburg Greens and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), also issued strong condemnations.

Public reaction at the shop itself included the appearance of counter-slogans like 'Nazis out' on the storefront by Thursday morning.

Legal Action and Broader Context

Police have received multiple complaints regarding the sign, with the public prosecutor's office initiating an investigation into the shop owner for possible offenses, including incitement to hatred. Authorities believe the words are likely to disturb public peace and incite hatred towards Jews living in Germany. This incident occurs amidst a documented surge in antisemitic incidents across Germany since the events of October 7, 2023, further intensifying concerns about rising antisemitism in the country.