German state antisemitism czar’s property torched, Hamas symbol painted nearby
Police probe arson at home of Andreas Büttner, who vows ‘not to be intimidated’; Brandenburg state officials say they ‘stand by’ him
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The property of a German state commissioner for countering antisemitism was torched early Sunday morning, and a Hamas symbol was painted nearby, according to local media reports.
Andreas Büttner, who serves as the commissioner for combating antisemitism in the state of Brandenburg, surrounding Berlin, posted on X that his family was at home when the apparent arson occurred, and that they were not injured.
He thanked the police and fire department for their support. Local police said the incident was under investigation.
“This attack represents a massive escalation. It is directed against me personally, against my family and against my home,” he wrote in a post.
“At the same time, it is an expression of hatred and intimidation,” he said. “I will not be intimidated by this. Anyone who believes that they can achieve something through violence, arson, or threats is mistaken.”
German media reported that an inverted red triangle, a Hamas symbol, was painted on a house next door. Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor posted a photo of the symbol, and the blaze, on X, along with words of encouragement for Büttner.
Meine Gedanken sind bei Andreas Büttner und seiner Familie. Wie ich ihn kenne, wird er nach diesem Angriff nur noch entschlossener gegen Antisemitismus aufstehen.
Denn der radikale Teil der „Palästina-Solidarität“ ist nicht nur antisemitisch, sondern terroristisch. Anschläge auf… pic.twitter.com/MtgSfD7qn4
— Ambassador Ron Prosor (@Ron_Prosor) January 4, 2026
“My thoughts are with Andreas Büttner and his family,” Prosor wrote. “Knowing him as I do, after this attack he will only stand up even more resolutely against antisemitism.”
Prosor added, “Attacks on those who think differently and attempted murder: That is what the Hamas triangle stands for — in Gaza as in Brandenburg… The rule of law must smash these terrorist organizations — and indeed, before they strike again.”
Brandenburg’s top officials also spoke out in support of Büttner, with the state’s Premier Dietmar Woidke saying he is a “special service to the state and its people,” and Interior Minister Rene Wilke adding: “We will continue to stand by Mr. Büttner.”
According to Deutsche Welle, Büttner’s car was defaced with swastikas in 2024.
Antisemitism in Germany spiked in the wake of the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, that ignited the Gaza war, and has continued over the past two years.
In September, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that criticism of Israel was increasingly being used in Germany as a pretext for stoking hatred against Jews, noting that antisemitism had “become louder, more open, more brazen, more violent almost every day” since the war in Gaza began.
The Times of Israel Community.