Man who stabbed Spanish tourist at Berlin Holocaust memorial sentenced to 13 years in prison
The 19-year-old Syrian asylum seeker told authorities at the time of the incident that he wanted to kill Jews
A Syrian man was convicted by a Berlin district court Thursday for stabbing a Spanish tourist at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial in February 2025. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Identified only as 20-year-old Wassim Al M. under German privacy laws, the man was convicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder and attempted membership in a foreign terrorist organisation, German media reported.
The man told police at the time of the arrest that he had wanted to kill Jews. A formerly unaccompanied minor who applied for asylum after arriving in Germany in 2023, he indicated that he was motivated by distress over the war in Gaza.
His victim was slashed in the neck and face, hospitalised and placed into a coma, and still is unable to work, the court was told.
During the trial, Wassim Al M. said he regretted his actions, but according to German media, the judges did not believe him, because at the time of his arrest, he made an Islamic State gesture.
Still, prosecutors did not pursue a life sentence per the victim’s request that Al M. eventually be able to lead a normal life.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a memorial and public art piece featuring 2,711 slabs of concrete. It has been the target of antisemitic graffiti in the past as well as the epicenter of a debate over the appropriateness of selfies at solemn sites of Holocaust remembrance.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
