UN Rights Agency Warns of Rise in Anti-Semitism in Germany After Halle Shooting
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)' office raised concerns on Friday over a steep rise in anti-Semitism in Germany after a gunman killed two people outside a synagogue in Halle
German media said Friday that Stephan Balliet, the gunman behind the shooting in Halle, had confessed after hours-long interrogation that he had been motivated by anti-Semitic and far-right beliefs. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer admitted Thursday that the threat of anti-Semitic extremism in Germany was "very high."
"This horrific attack is the latest example of an extremely disturbing rise in violence directed at Jews in many places, including a sharp rise in incidents in Germany," OHCHR spokesman Rupert Colville said.
Before opening fire, Balliet attempted to enter the synagogue, where some 50 people were praying. He reportedly wore a camera on his helmet and live-streamed his attack online.
Colville drew a parallel with the March shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand where the gunman used a body camera to capture footage of the killings. He said action should be taken to stop the "cross-fertilization" of violent extremism via the internet and social media.