Remembering means changing: On the 4th anniversary of the right-wing terrorist attack on the synagogue in Halle (Saale).

October 9, 2023. Today marks the anniversary of the anti-Semitic, racist, misogynistic and right-wing terrorist attack on the synagogue in Halle. Yesterday, 18,4% in Hesse and 14,6% in Bavaria voted for a right-wing populist party. Hubert Aiwanger, the chairman of the Free Voters in the federal government and in Bavaria, won a direct mandate despite the scandal surrounding his anti-Semitic past (and present). Anti-Semitism runs deep in Germany and anti-human politics is becoming more and more socially acceptable.

Our hearts are with those affected and the Jewish community in Halle and we applaud the people who are committed to a critical assessment of what happened at all levels and stand by their side in solidarity.

In 2019, a right-wing terrorist tried to enter the synagogue in Halle on the most important Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, and kill the people gathered there. After unsuccessful attempts, the perpetrator shot passerby Jana Lange in front of the synagogue and Kevin Schwarze in the “Kiez-Keber” and tried to murder other people while escaping. During the entire time he broadcast the crime via live stream on the Internet.

Since then, racist incidents have continued in Halle: four months after the attack, shots were fired at the attacked “Kiez snack bar” and in January 2020 at the constituency office of the black SPD member of the Bundestag Karamba Diaby. On the evening before the first anniversary, commemorative graffiti for those affected by the attack was daubed with swastikas. In 2022, a man fired shots at the Islamic Cultural Center in Halle. Fortunatly nobody was hurt. However, these incidents are only known attacks.

These everyday incidents clearly show us that in fact nothing has changed in Halle. Citizens affected by racism must continue to fear that attacks are possible at any time. In addition, the election results of the state elections in Hesse and Bavaria show us that anti-Semitism and misanthropy are no longer a “red flag”. In Bavaria, an anti-Semite will probably continue to sit in the government; in Hesse, a right-wing populist and partly right-wing extremist party represents the largest opposition in the Bundestag. The AfD is posting high numbers in both countries. That is an indictment on any day, but especially today.

“We as DaMigra demand a migrant perspective on the crime, a focus on those affected and a very clear naming of the crime for what it is: anti-Semitic, racist, misogynistic and right-wing terrorist. We demand that people with refugee and migration experience in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt and all of Germany feel heard and safe. This clearly means that right-wing violent criminals must be held accountable by the judiciary and police. Extreme right-wing, racist and misogynistic incidents must be investigated completely and consistently. This also means sending clear signals to the public: On this important day of remembrance, the city of Halle must not give the right-wing extremist Sven Liebich, who has multiple convictions, any space for his agitation on the market square." (Dr. Soraya Moket, deputy manager of DaMigra e. V. )

Changes to the current German culture of commemoration and remembrance are urgently needed: (post-)migrant voices and positions not only have to be visible and heard - without these voices it is not possible to come to terms with and combat them. Remembering must not remain just symbolic, but must result in concrete actions. What use are further monuments, days of remembrance and memorials to those affected if racist structures in institutions, politics and the police continue to discriminate and exclude?

In order to convey our concern to urban society, the cooperation event “October 5th attack from a (post-) migrant perspective” with LAMSA e. took place on October 9th in the Halle City Museum. V., DaMOst e. V. and DaMigra e. V. instead. The focus of the event was the voices of the migrant communities in Halle. In workshops and exchanges, memories of October 9th were brought together, gaps in the memory of the attack were identified and wishes for the future were formulated. The results of the event will be published as a follow-up report www.damigra.de to be found.

If you would like to support local initiatives or associations, please contact the TEKIEZ memorial in the Paulusviertel, the “Halle Against Right – Alliance for Civil Courage” alliance or our location in Halle.

DaMigra eV represents the interests of women migrant organizations and their concerns and advocates equal opportunities, equal participation and the equality of women with a history of migration and refugee experience in Germany. DaMigra follows the approach of anti-racist feminism.