Antisemitism has grown more pronounced within segments of Berlin's queer community since October 7, causing many Jewish LGBTQ+ individuals to feel sidelined, threatened, and at risk, according to a report commissioned by the city's Department for Justice and Anti-Discrimination.

The study notes that antisemitism within Berlin's queer scenes is not recent but has become far more visible since October 7, 2023. Queer activists have taken part in anti-Israel rallies, and incidents targeting Jews have occurred. Those seeking inclusion often face expectations to endorse anti-Zionist stances.

The report links much of this antisemitism in queer spaces to the BDS campaign. It recalls the German Bundestag's 2019 resolution opposing the BDS movement and labeling its arguments and tactics as antisemitic, yet the movement continues to operate in Germany.

Ari Elbert, a board member of Keshet Deutschland, reported that his group has received far fewer invitations to events since October 7. He explained that pressure to choose sides has led allies to withdraw platforms, often out of fear of backlash or boycotts rather than solely antisemitic intent.

A Dramatic Shift in Berlin's LGBTQ+ Community

Interviewee A.M. described a sharp change in the city's LGBTQ+ environment after the October 7, 2023 attacks. Discussions on Israel and Palestine have grown intensely divided, with Jewish presence in queer spaces frequently reduced to a political stance rather than personal identity.

A.M. recounted seeing antisemitic slogans at queer protests and hearing justifications for violence against Jews framed as solidarity. The silence from friends and groups that usually condemn discrimination has been especially painful, often feeling like abandonment.

Consequently, A.M. now avoids certain gatherings and locations to prevent becoming a target while wearing a Star of David or expressing Jewish identity openly.

A notable example involved Berlin's 2024 Dyke March. The event, held since 2013 as a non-commercial, anti-fascist alternative focused on lesbians and women, featured a fundraiser at the Kreuzberg bar Möbel Olfe. Promotional materials included symbols associated with Hamas. Jewish and non-Jewish queer women who set up a safe table with a Star of David rainbow flag encountered hostility, requiring police assistance to depart safely. Organizers later accused the group of attempting to sow division. The march itself included chants of Yallah Intifada and several arrests.

The report also examines Berlin's club scene, where BDS influence has grown in electronic music and queer nightlife. Earlier campaigns like #DJsForPalestine and actions by groups such as Room4Resistance preceded and followed October 7. The case of HOR Berlin, an Israeli-founded streaming platform, involved boycotts and harassment after requests to limit political imagery, resulting in lost revenue.

I Face Antisemitism Every Day in Berlin

The report outlines the practical effects of this trend. A.M. stated they encounter antisemitism daily in Berlin and plan to leave the city and country. Elbert noted that many Jewish people are departing Berlin or relocating to Israel despite ongoing conflict. A spokesperson for Dykes, Women and Queers Against Antisemitism added that participants often avoid expressing views altogether to avoid pressure to conform to prevailing positions.