A pig's head was placed at the entrance of a Jewish Holocaust memorial site in Apolda, eastern Germany, over the weekend. The incident has drawn sharp condemnation and is being investigated as a hate crime.
“There is no place for antisemitism in Apolda, in Thuringia, or anywhere in Germany,” said Mayor Mario Voigt, a member of the conservative party.
Apolda, located about 45 kilometers from Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, is a stronghold of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which secured nearly 33% of the vote in recent elections. The party achieved similar support in Apolda itself.
The memorial, known as the "Prager House," was once the home of Jewish fur merchant Bernhard Prager, who was murdered along with his family by the Nazis in the Theresienstadt ghetto in 1944.
In 2007, a German association purchased and restored the building, transforming it into a center for remembrance and education. The site now commemorates the city’s Jewish heritage, the atrocities of the Nazi era, and promotes peace and coexistence.
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The investigation has been transferred to state authorities and is being treated as a politically motivated hate crime. Officials are exploring links to far-right or far-left extremism. Islamist involvement has been largely ruled out due to the use of a pig’s head.
“This act is not only disrespectful to the city and the memory of Apolda’s Jewish community but is a clear expression of antisemitism,” said Voigt, the mayor. “Antisemitism has no place in our society, and we must collectively ensure those responsible are held accountable. This crime is unacceptable, and we must demonstrate our commitment to a tolerant society founded on mutual respect.”
Regional police have reported an increase in antisemitic incidents in recent months, including hate speech, property damage and threats. The investigation into the Apolda incident is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to bring those responsible to justice.