The Mayor of Zurich and the city council have condemned an antisemitic attack on a religious Jewish man on Monday as “shocking.”
On Monday evening, a 26-year-old Orthodox Jewish man was punched after leaving his house in Wiedikon, Zurich. The attacker – a 40-year-old Kosovan – made antisemitic statements during the assault. Several passers-by intervened, overpowered the attacker, and held him on the ground until the police arrived. He continued to make antisemitic comments even with the police present.
The victim suffered wounds to his body and neck.
City council responds
“The cowardly act deeply affects the city council,” the council said in a statement, adding that “the commitment against antisemitism and the protection of Jewish fellow citizens must remain priorities.”
According to the council, the victim has expressed thanks to passers-by for their civil courage.
Mayor Corine Mauch also expressed her sympathy to the victim.
“The attack shows in a shocking way that the commitment against antisemitism remains enormously important,” she said. “This requires all of us. As an open, solidary society, we all stand by our Jewish fellow citizens.”
“The attack was not a random act, but was specifically directed against a Jewish person,” said the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities SIG. “The incident thus joins the series of antisemitic attacks that have increased sharply in Switzerland since October 2023. Jewish people are the target of insults and physical violence simply because of their appearance and Jewish identity.”
“The SIG expects antisemitic violence to be consistently prosecuted and clearly named.”