German store posts ‘No Jews allowed’ sign, sparking outrage

The Flensburg shop owner claimed his antisemitic message was not about hate but a protest against Israel’s war in Gaza, which he blamed on Jews collectively.

By World Israel News Staff

A German shop owner sparked international outrage after posting a sign banning Jews from his store, in an act reminiscent of Nazi-era oppression of German Jews.

The sign, displayed last week in the window of an antiques store in Flensburg, read: “JEWS are banned from here!!!! Nothing personal. Not even antisemitism. I just can’t stand you.”

The offensive sign was quickly reported to police by multiple passersby, and images circulated widely on social media. Just one day after the post went viral, the shopkeeper removed the sign.

In its place, however, the proprietor put up another message that read “Nazis out” and “F– Nazis,” which appeared to target supporters of the state of Israel.

The store owner, Hans Platen-Reisch, 60, told German outlet Schleswig-Holsteinische Zeitungsverlag that his original sign was meant as a protest against Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

“Jews live in Israel, and I can’t tell who supports the strikes and who doesn’t,” he said. “To me, it’s hypocrisy. They always say history must not repeat itself, and then they do the same themselves.”

Platen-Reisch added that he refused to serve Zionists or others who support Israel, saying he would not associate with them in business or in his personal life.

“I don’t need people like that here – neither in business nor in private,” he said.

However, he claimed that Jews willing to denounce Israel’s government would be welcome in his shop, even stating that such individuals were welcome to “have a coffee” there.

The sign was condemned by numerous German politicians and Jewish organizations, who pledged to pursue legal action.

“The war in Gaza must never be used as a pretext for outright hatred against Jews in Germany. Yet that is precisely what is happening: people who have nothing to do with this war are becoming collateral damage,” the Orthodox Rabbinical Conference of Germany said in a statement. “We make it clear: Jews in Germany are not responsible for Gaza.”

German Education Minister Karin Prien, who is Jewish, also denounced the signage and vowed consequences.

“Anyone who expresses or justifies antisemitism opposes everything our democratic life represents,” Prien told German media. “We stand firmly with the Jewish community. Let there be no doubt: We will not tolerate antisemitism – not in Flensburg, not in Germany, not anywhere in the world.”