World News

Berlin police investigating Abbas’ Holocaust comments

Palestinian leader to be investigated for possible incitement to hatred, but would have diplomatic immunity from prosecution.

By Associated Press

Berlin police have opened a preliminary investigation against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over his comments this week that Israel had committed “50 Holocausts” against Palestinians.

The remarks, during a news conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, sparked outrage in Germany, Israel and beyond. The Palestinian leader walked back his comments without actually apologizing.

Police confirmed a report Friday by German daily Bild that Abbas was being investigated for possible incitement to hatred after receiving a formal criminal complaint. Downplaying the Holocaust is a criminal offense in Germany, but the opening of an preliminary inquiry doesn’t automatically entail a full investigation.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said that Abbas — as a representative of the Palestinian Authority — would enjoy immunity from prosecution because he was visiting the country in an official capacity.

Germany doesn’t recognize the Palestinian Territories as a sovereign state, a position Scholz reaffirmed Tuesday.

Share
Published by
Pesach Benson
Tags: Germany Holocaust Holocaust denial Mahmoud Abbas Munich massacre Munich Olympics Olaf Scholz

Recent Posts

  • Judaism & Culture

Poll: Three-quarters of Israeli Jews fast on Yom Kippur

Half of Jews plan to attend Yom Kippur services in synagogue this year, according to…

40 minutes ago
  • Videos

WATCH: Norman Finkelstein denies Hamas Oct. 7 rape, sexual assault

Norman Finkelstein, an anti-Israel activist, appeared on Tucker Carlson’s podcast to deny that Hamas committed…

1 hour ago
  • World News

Netanyahu congratulates Sid Rosenberg on Hall of Fame induction

Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Rosenberg as 'one of the greatest voices of truth for Israel.'

2 hours ago
  • Jewish Diaspora & Antisemitism

Police hunt suspect after Jewish schoolboys assaulted on London bus

Authorities searching for man who slapped two Jewish schoolboys and verbally attacked three in what…

2 hours ago
  • World News

Abdul El-Sayed promoted infamous hijab hate crime hoax, despite warnings from police

El-Sayed has continued to invoke the Islamophobia trope on the campaign trail, citing Republicans’ use…

2 hours ago
  • Videos

WATCH: What the Houthi takeover of Bab el-Mandeb really means

The Houthis are reported to have strengthened their control over key positions around the Bab…

2 hours ago