Berlin’s police chief, Barbara Slowik, has urged Jewish and LGBTQ+ individuals to exercise caution in some parts of the city, particularly in neighborhoods with large Arab populations. These areas have been linked to individuals who show hostility toward Jews and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“There are areas of the city where I would advise people wearing a kippah or openly identifying as gay to be more careful,” Slowik said in an interview with Berliner Zeitung. She emphasized that violent crimes against Jewish individuals are rare but deeply concerning whenever they occur.

Her statement follows a troubling incident involving Makkabi Berlin’s youth football team. Players, aged 13 to 16, were reportedly chased by a group of Arab youths armed with sticks and knives after a match in Neukölln, a district known for its large Arab and Turkish population.

The attackers allegedly shouted slurs such as “free Palestine” and “f***ing Jews” while threatening the young players. Schwarz-Weiss Neukölln, the opposing team, pledged to identify and take action against those involved in the attack.

Slowik stressed that her comments were not meant to stigmatize any group but to highlight the importance of safety and awareness. “I do not want to defame any particular group of people as perpetrators,” she added.

Despite these warnings, Berlin authorities reaffirm their commitment to protecting all residents and addressing hate crimes swiftly.