Antisemitism in Berlin: Marked the October 7 Massacre – and Was Brutally Attacked

A 67-year-old shop owner who uses a wheelchair was repeatedly attacked in Berlin after hanging anti-antisemitism posters marking the October 7 massacre. The suspects, a group of youths, sprayed him with pepper spray, beat him, and vandalized his shop door. Police have opened an investigation on suspicion of an antisemitic motive.

A 67-year-old shop owner, Hans-Georg "HG" Lindnau, who uses a wheelchair, was attacked several times last week by a group of youths in the Kreuzberg neighborhood of Berlin. The attacks began after he hung anti-antisemitism posters in his shop window to mark the October 7, 2023 massacre. On October 7, 2026, about six youths came to his shop, cursed him, and sprayed him with pepper spray. The next day, the youths returned, sprayed him again with pepper spray, and fled when he called for help. Later, as he was about to close the shop, they attacked him once more with pepper spray and blows. Lindnau suffered facial pain and a bleeding wound on the back of his head. Witnesses reported a group of up to eight youths on electric scooters kicking and beating the shop door, causing damage. Despite his fear, Lindnau continues to operate his shop and receives support from neighborhood residents. The investigation has been transferred to the State Security unit of the Berlin police, which is examining suspicions of dangerous assault, insulting a person, and property damage, along with suspicion of an antisemitic motive.