Fighting of opinions: riots in front of the Martinskirche in Langenau!

Fighting of opinions: riots in front of the Martinskirche in Langenau!

in Langenau, a small community in the Alb-Donau district, occurred on Sunday, July 7, 2025, a shocking incident in front of the Evangelical Martin Church. Previous and worship visitor's handicaps between pro-Palestine demonstrating and worshipers ensured a new escalation in a conflict that has been shaping the region for a year and a half. As SWR , according to the police, three people were integrated into the incident.

The dispute broke out when a 75-year-old man who initiated the unannounced pro-Palestine assembly came to the ground an 84-year-old worshiper. The attacker was then brought down by another worshiper and also attacked. The police then initiated investigations against all three men. The 75-year-old is also faced with allegations regarding insults and a bad recovery, since he is said to have disparaged the pastor Ralf Sedlak.

anti -Semitic incidents burden the community

The situation in Langenau is still exacerbated by anti -Semitic slogans, which were discovered on the same Sunday at the Martinskirche and at the town hall. Corresponding smearings with calls such as "Boycott Israel" and the shocking saying "Jews are gasped" were found in December 2024. The state security has intensified the investigation in this matter. According to Tagesschau Feel intimidated and avoid public service, in many cases even switch to the livestream.

Pastor Ralf Sedlak, whose hostility began in October 2023, was concerned about the climate of fear caused by the incidents. After he spoke about the attack of Hamas on Israel and a pulpit word from the state bishop, which expressed solidarity with the Israeli victims, the pressure grew on the community. State bishop Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl criticized the municipality and the district and emphasized that the assumption of being able to sit out the conflict was a fallacy.

cities and politics are concerned about

Mayor Daria Henning reacted to the allegations and referred to the importance of freedom of expression and religion. She described the escalation as "an unprecedented escalation level" and announced that talks are held with the police to comprehensively evaluate the situation. These incidents have also aroused the interest of higher political levels; Interior Minister Strobl described her as "extremely disgusting" and took action to be able to meet anti -Semitism.

The CDU state chief Manuel Hagel also called for a decisive approach to the anti-Semitic attacks and appealed to the city of Langenau. At a time when freedom of expression and social tolerance are more than ever required, municipalities like Langenau are faced with the challenge of ensuring a safe and respectful coexistence. The discussion about these incidents shows how sensitive living together in a pluralistic society is and how important the dialogical exchange is among the citizens.