In Flensburg, Hans Velten Reisch caused uproar by posting a sign banning Jews from his shop.
The note read: “Jews are banned from here! Nothing personal. No antisemitism. Just can’t stand you.”
Police removed the sign Wednesday evening “to prevent danger” and maintain public order, spokesperson Philipp Renoncourt said.
Reporters later saw the message still displayed on a wall inside the shop.
The incident triggered heated debates in Flensburg and on social media, with many condemning its discriminatory content.
Some compared it to Nazi-era actions, while others called for boycotts, protests, or violent reprisals.
By Thursday morning, vandals had scrawled slogans like “Nazis out” on the shop window.
Officials Denounce Antisemitism
Mayor Fabian Geyer condemned the sign as “a reminder of the darkest chapters of Germany’s history.”
He called it “a clear statement against Jews in our society” with no place in Flensburg.
The Flensburg Greens described the sign as “a clear expression of antisemitism” mocking Jewish suffering and threatening democracy.
SPD politician Kianusch Stender stressed that the city must oppose antisemitism at all times.
Former mayor Simone Lange personally reported the incident to the police.
Federal antisemitism commissioner Felix Klein called it “a very clear case of antisemitism” requiring immediate intervention.
Education Minister Karin Prien said antisemitism “opposes everything democratic coexistence stands for” and welcomed legal action.
MEP Rasmus Andresen condemned the sign as “inhuman” and urged EU-level protections against discrimination.
Police confirmed receiving at least four complaints against Reisch, now under review by prosecutors for possible incitement.
Shop Owner Defends Himself
Hans Velten Reisch, 60, has run his Flensburg shop since 2016, selling technical manuals for cars and motorbikes.
He rejected claims of extremism, saying, “I’m not a Nazi” and describing himself as politically moderate.
Reisch criticized modern language, claiming terms like “racism” are overused and misapplied.
He expressed frustration with politics, bureaucracy, media, freedom of expression, and social conflicts.
He criticized Germany’s policy toward Israel as “hypocrisy” and said he would refuse service to those supporting the war.
Reisch emphasized he has no problem with Jews who distance themselves from the conflict: “They can have a coffee too.”
He admitted surprise at the backlash, saying, “I never thought it would make such a big splash.”
Reisch insisted, “I’m not inciting hatred, I’m just saying what I think,” and claimed the message targeted only his immediate environment.
