Investigations discontinued – Darmstadt sees antisemitism confirmed
Following the discontinuation of the investigation into the so-called "Anti-Colonial Peace Christmas Market" of December 2024, the city of Darmstadt is demanding consequences. According to the public prosecutor's office, items bearing prohibited symbols and containing hate speech were offered for sale at the event, which took place in the premises of the then-Evangelical St. Michael's Parish. However, no charges will be filed because those responsible for the respective sales booths could not be identified.
The Darmstadt public prosecutor's office discontinued the proceedings by order dated September 24, 2026, pursuant to Section 170, Paragraph 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This means that insufficient suspicion of a crime against a specific person could be established. However, the city does not consider this a refutation of the allegations it filed in December 2024, together with other initiatives.
Forbidden symbols at the Christmas market
The “Anti-Colonial Peace Christmas Market” took place on December 14th and 15th, 2024 in the premises of the then Evangelical St. Michael's Parish.
According to the city of science, the public prosecutor's office's decision indicates that items with prohibited symbols and content inciting hatred were offered for sale there.
This included in particular an inverted red triangle, which is classified by the Federal Ministry of the Interior as a prohibited symbol of the terrorist organization Hamas.
Furthermore, bags bearing the word "Palestine" over the geographical outline of Israel were offered for sale. The banned slogan "From the river to the sea" was also reportedly circulated in isolated cases.
The city of Darmstadt, together with other initiatives, filed a criminal complaint on December 18, 2024. It considers the findings of the public prosecutor's office to have essentially confirmed the core of its allegations at that time.
Investigations discontinued because those responsible remained unknown
Although the public prosecutor's office identified the objectionable items and contents, the investigation was discontinued.
According to the city, the decisive factor was that it was impossible to determine which individuals operated the sales stands in question and offered the items.
No responsible persons could be identified for the stalls. The witnesses questioned were also unable to say who had set up the stalls.
Mayor Hanno Benz strongly criticizes this situation.
“The public prosecutor’s office has confirmed what we have said from the beginning: Symbols of a terrorist organization were displayed at this Christmas market. The fact that nobody wants to take responsibility in the end is not an acquittal – it is part of the problem,” Benz explains.
The discontinuation of the proceedings does not mean that the public prosecutor's office has declared all events at the Christmas market to be harmless. However, criminal responsibility of individual persons could not be sufficiently proven.
City warns of anti-Semitic codes and symbols
In its statement, the science city assesses the events as an example of structural anti-Semitism.
The particular problem is that the symbols in question did not appear in the context of an openly extremist event, but rather at an event advertised as a peace Christmas market in a community center.
According to the city, this creates the risk that anti-Semitic or terrorist symbolism will be overlooked, downplayed, or misunderstood as an expression of political solidarity.
Darmstadt is therefore calling for greater awareness of such symbols and slogans. A distinction must be made between politically problematic statements and actually criminal content.
The city believes that event organizers, church congregations, and venue owners in particular should familiarize themselves with the legal requirements. This includes Section 86a of the Criminal Code, which criminalizes the use of symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.
The city also demands clear responsibilities for events. Anyone who provides venues, advertises events, or allows vendor stalls must address the content disseminated there.
Event series against antisemitism announced
As a consequence of these events, the science city of Darmstadt, together with the DEXT specialist office in Darmstadt, announces a series of events on the topic of antisemitism.
Under the title "You are only safe from anti-Semitism on the moon", lectures and exhibitions are planned at the Justus Liebig House from November 30, 2026 to the end of January 2027.
The events are intended to provide information on topics such as how antisemitism manifests itself in symbols and linguistic codes, where the line between criticism of Israeli policies and antisemitism lies, and what legal options are available.
The series is explicitly aimed at church communities, clubs, schools and event organizers.
Lectures at the Justus Liebig House
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 7:30 p.m
Leo Fischer: “Antisemitism and anti-democratic phenomena in social networks – an overview”
Thursday, December 10, 2026
Niels Gehrig, lawyer specializing in IT law (JUN Legal): “Legal classification and options for action in cases of hate speech and online antisemitism”
Thursday, December 17, 2026
Dr. habil. Klaus Holz: “Where does antisemitism against Israel begin?”
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
Prof. Dr. Bünyamin Werker: “New Paths of Remembrance Culture 2.0 – Cultural Education and Democracy: Possibilities of a Resilient Practice”
The times of the lectures on December 10th and 17th, as well as on January 20th, have not yet been announced.
Two exhibitions starting at the end of November
The lecture series will be complemented by two exhibitions, which are scheduled to be on display at the Justus Liebig House from November 30th to December 22nd, 2026.
The photo report “Never again is now” deals with the victims of the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023.
The exhibition “Germany.Israel.Insights” by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia addresses, among other things, the questions “What do you think of when you think of Israel?” and “What do you think about Germany?”.
The city of Darmstadt plans to publish the full event program shortly.
The most important information
Reason: Discontinuation of the investigation into the "Anti-Colonial Peace Christmas Market"
Original event: December 14th and 15th, 2024
Venue: Rooms of the former Evangelical St. Michael's Parish in Darmstadt
Criminal complaint filed: December 18, 2024
Public Prosecutor's Decision: September 24, 2026
Result: The proceedings were discontinued pursuant to Section 170 Paragraph 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure due to insufficient suspicion of a crime against identifiable persons responsible.
The city's response: Demands for clarification, awareness-raising, and clear responsibilities at events.
Event series: "You're only safe from antisemitism on the moon"
Period: November 30, 2026 to the end of January 2027
Location: Justus Liebig House, Darmstadt
Exhibitions: November 30 to December 22, 2026
Organizer: City of Science Darmstadt in cooperation with the DEXT office Darmstadt
(DARMSTADT – RED/stip)
