Jewish students block AfD vice president from Halle synagogue memorial
On October 9, 2026, the seventh anniversary of the 2019 antisemitic attack on the synagogue in Halle, Germany, members of the Jewish Student Union of Germany formed a human chain and blocked Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, newly elected AfD vice president of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, from entering the memorial. Police said the situation remained calm and Tillschneider left after mediation. JSUD leaders said they would not let the commemoration be instrumentalized; the Central Council of Jews criticized Tillschneider's conduct.
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Jewish Student Union Denies AfD Politician Entry to Halle Memorial, Refuses Instrumentalization
On the seventh anniversary of the 2019 right-wing extremist attack on the Halle synagogue, the Jewish Student Union of Germany (JSUD) formed a human chain and blocked entry to the memorial event for Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, the newly elected Vice President of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament and member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. JSUD President Ron Dekel stated in an interview that the union will not allow its commemoration to be 'hijacked' by extremists, particularly right-wing extremists who pose the greatest threat to Jews in Germany. Dekel accused Tillschneider of attempting to instrumentalize the event to obtain a 'kosher stamp' and of disrespecting survivors by trying to enter before them. He expressed concern that the election of an AfD politician to a high state office signals a growing normalization of right-wing extremism and increasing indifference to antisemitism, warning that it could lead to a right-wing extremist government in the state.
Read sourceJewish Student Union Blocks AfD Politician from Halle Memorial Event
The Jewish Student Union of Germany (JSUD) formed a human chain and blocked the entrance to the synagogue in Halle on the seventh anniversary of the 2019 far-right terrorist attack, denying entry to Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, the newly elected AfD vice-president of the state parliament. JSUD President Ron Dekel told taz that the union refuses to let its commemoration be instrumentalized by extremists, especially from a party that has downplayed the Halle attack as an "amok run." Dekel criticized Tillschneider for disrupting the ceremony and forcing survivors to wait outside. He said the AfD's rise to the highest parliamentary office in a German state has triggered further insecurity among Jews and warned of growing indifference toward antisemitism. Dekel stated that the majority society must understand that antisemitism ultimately leads to far-right governance, and that the JSUD will not allow its commemorations or its country to be taken away.
AfD Vice President Barred from Halle Synagogue Memorial on Yom Kippur Anniversary
On the seventh anniversary of the 2019 Halle synagogue attack, a memorial event was held on October 9, 2026, at the synagogue in Halle, Germany. The event, which included a silent vigil and a stone-throwing ritual, was attended by about 60 guests, including outgoing Minister-President Sven Schulze (CDU) and his predecessor Reiner Haseloff. However, a controversy erupted when Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, the newly elected AfD Landtag Vice President, attempted to join the mourners. A group of about 12 members of the Jewish Student Union of Germany blocked his entry by linking arms, shouting, 'We will not let Nazis hijack our memorial.' Tillschneider argued for about ten minutes, calling the attacker a 'confused man' and demanding respect for his office, but eventually left. The head of the Jewish community, Max Privorozki, emphasized that the attacker was a 'hater of humanity,' not mentally disturbed. A second memorial site, the converted Döner kebab shop where one murder occurred, featured a poster warning that those who endanger democracy have no place there. The Soligruppe 9. Oktober, a support group, criticized Tillschneider's attempt to use his office for access, noting that the AfD shares the same racist ideology as the attacker. Witnesses and community members expressed concern over growing indifference and the electoral success of 'ideological arsonists.'
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AfD politician Tillschneider blocked from Halle memorial by human chain
On October 9, 2026, AfD politician Hans-Thomas Tillschneider attempted to attend a memorial event in Halle commemorating the seventh anniversary of the 2019 antisemitic attack on the synagogue. He was blocked by a human chain formed by members of the Jewish Student Union Germany (JSUD) at the synagogue entrance. Police confirmed the situation remained calm and that mediators from the assembly authority facilitated discussions, after which Tillschneider left. JSUD representative Noami Tamir stated that a 'proven far-right party leader' has no place at their memorial, emphasizing the focus on victims. Tillschneider claimed on X that he was attending on behalf of Tobias Rausch and was insulted as a Nazi. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, criticized Tillschneider for disrespecting the community's wish to avoid political instrumentalization, noting his role as a leading figure in the state AfD, which is classified as far-right. The memorial event included other politicians such as acting Minister-President Sven Schulze and his predecessor Reiner Haseloff (both CDU).
Jewish Students Block Far-Right AfD Politician from Attending Halle Synagogue Memorial
On October 9, 2026, the seventh anniversary of the 2019 right-wing extremist attack on a synagogue in Halle, Germany, activists from the Jewish Student Union formed a human chain to block AfD politician Hans-Thomas Tillschneider from entering the memorial event. Tillschneider, who was recently elected Vice President of the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, claimed he was invited to the public event. However, community leader Max Privorozki told the Jüdische Allgemeine that no personal invitation was extended to Tillschneider. The 2019 attack occurred on Yom Kippur, when a gunman attempted to storm the synagogue and later killed two people on the street. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the far-right AfD party's participation in commemorations of extremist violence.
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