Ban on Jews entering Flensburg shop recalls Germany's darkest days and sparks nationwide outrage

In Flensburg, a shop owner has caused outrage beyond the city limits with a single sign. Hans Velten Reisch, owner of a small speciality shop in Duburger Straße, placed a note in his shop window on Wednesday.

It read: "Jews are banned from here! Nothing personal. No antisemitism. Just can't stand you."

The police were alerted to the sign on Wednesday evening and spokesperson Philipp Renoncourt told the local media outlet förde.news the sign was removed "to prevent danger" and avoid an escalation or possible threat to public order.

However, the message has not disappeared completely. According to local reporters, the sign may no be longer hanging in the shop window, but is still clearly visible on a wall opposite the entrance door inside the shop.

The case is causing a heated discussion in Flensburg and beyond. It also provoked strong reactions on social media. Numerous users expressed their dismay and condemned the sign's discriminatory content. Some said they felt like they had been transported back to the Nazi era.

Many called for boycotts, others wanted to know which shop was involved. In some cases, there were even calls to "smear" the shop or set it on fire. On Thursday morning, the shop's window was already smeared with slogans such as "Nazis out."

"Reminder of the darkest chapters of history"

The city council reacted immediately to the sign.

"This is a reminder of the darkest chapters of Germany's history and has absolutely no place in this city," said Flensburg Mayor Fabian Geyer.

The sign was not an expression of opinion, but "a clear statement against Jews in our society."

Political reactions also came from the Greens and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

In a statement, the Flensburg Greens described the notice as a "clear expression of antisemitism" that mocks the historical experiences of Jews, is reminiscent of Nazi crimes and attacks the foundations of an open society.

Kianusch Stender, member of the state parliament for the SPD, emphasised: "We are an open, colourful city that has a duty, based on its historical responsibility alone, to take a stand against anti-Semitism everywhere and at all times."

The former mayor of Flensburg, Simone Lange (SPD), also reacted. She stated on Facebook that she had personally reported the incident to the police.

A clear case of antisemitism

Felix Klein, the Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism, condemned the incident in an appearance on Welt TV.

"This is a very clear case of antisemitism and we must intervene," he said.

He welcomed the reports that have already been received and pointed out the direct references to the Nazi era. "This must not be tolerated in any way," he said.

This stance was supported by Federal Education Minister Karin Prien (CDU).

"Anyone who expresses and justifies antisemitism is going against everything that our democratic coexistence stands for," she said.

She expressed her gratitude that charges had already been brought and called for a consistent response from the authorities.

MEP Rasmus Andresen (Greens) also spoke out. He "deeply" condemned the "inhuman sign".

Now the mayor must examine whether the public order office can also intervene. At the same time, Andresen appealed at European level.

"The EU must become a human rights union in which all people are protected from discrimination," he said.

On Thursday morning, the Flensburg police confirmed to Stern magazine that they had received at least four complaints against Hans Velten Reisch.

"These are now being examined by the public prosecutor's office for possible offences," said a spokesperson. Among other things, the accusation of incitement of the people is being considered.

"I'm not a Nazi," says Flensburg shop owner

Hans Velten Reisch, who is 60 years old, has been running the shop in Duburger Straße since 2016. His product range focuses on technical literature, especially original workshop manuals for cars and motorbikes.

Reisch himself rejects accusations that he is an extremist. In an interview with förde.news he described himself as "a little to the left, a little to the right - but not radical."

"I'm not a Nazi," he emphasised. At the same time, he criticised the use of language today. In his opinion, terms such as "racism" are used too lightly.

"Today, you're already a Nazi if you order a gypsy schnitzel," said Reisch.

He also expressed his frustration with politics and society at length in the interview with the local newspaper. His criticism ranged from bureaucracy and media coverage to the Middle East conflict, issues of freedom of expression and personal disappointments in his social environment.

He was particularly critical of the country's current policy towards Israel, which he described as "hypocrisy" on the part of the West.

Reisch explained that he had decided to stop serving customers who, in his opinion, support the war in Israel.

"I don't need people like that here - neither in business nor in private," he said. At the same time, he emphasised that he has nothing against Jews who clearly distance themselves from the war.

"They can have a coffee too," he said.

Reisch was surprised by the enormous response. "I never thought it would make such a big splash," he said. The sign was originally only intended for his immediate environment.

"I'm not inciting hatred, I'm just saying what I think."