North Rhine-Westphalia
Synagogue in Wuppertal: vigils after arson attack
By Sabine Meuter
Published September 17, 2026
After the arson attack on the synagogue in Wuppertal, there is great concern. In the evening, around 30 people gathered there.
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Attack on synagogue in Wuppertal | Video
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Vigils at synagogue
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Much solidarity after the arson attack in Wuppertal
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17.09.2026, 21:48
After the arson attack on the synagogue in Wuppertal, there is great concern. In the evening, around 30 people gathered there.
Shock, horror, sympathy: This is the core of many messages addressed to the Jewish community in Wuppertal this evening. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews, said the timing of the attack was not random. In three days, the highest Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur will begin.
"What deeply disturbs me is the peace of mind with which the perpetrator carried out this attack in Wuppertal in broad daylight. There is no trace of injustice or shame. This approach testifies to the progressive normalization of hatred of the Jews, to which our society has so far found no answer."
Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews
Many reactions also from local politics in the Bergisches Land
Reactions to the attack on the Wuppertal synagogue also came from local politics. The Solingen CDU reacts in dismay. On Wednesday, they had been a guest at the Jewish Religious Community and had experienced a "peaceful, cordial evening". The CDU in Solingen condemned the arson attack in the strongest possible terms and expressed its unreserved solidarity with the community.
Spontaneous vigil in front of the New Synagogue in Wuppertal-Barmen
Image source: WDR/Klaus Weiss
On Thursday evening, around 30 people, including representatives of many parties and faiths, gathered for a spontaneous vigil at the scene of the crime. Such actions are also planned for Friday mornings in the Wuppertal district of Barmen.
“You can't be completely surprised because we have a lot of anti-Semitic acts all over Germany. But the fact that it happens here in Wuppertal and happens again makes me speechless. And also really angry and stunned."
Helge Lindh, SPD Member of the Bundestag
Dilek Engin, SPD Wuppertal (left), and Helge Lindh, SPD member of the Bundestag (centre)
Image source: WDR/Klaus Weiss
Reminder of earlier arson attack on Wuppertal synagogue
A similar attack with homemade incendiaries on the synagogue had already taken place twelve years ago. Even then, the damage was minor. The perpetrators, three young Palestinians, were sentenced to prison terms for, among other things, attempted serious arson.
In the WDR interview, Ruth Yael Tutzinger also spoke out. She is honorary chairman of the Jewish Religious Community in Wuppertal. The 95-year-old Jewish woman also feels a renewed growth of anti-Semitism in the city.
"Of course, the pictures from that time are getting back to me. After all, I was 13 years old when World War II ended. So I already knew what was going on.”
Ruth Yael Tutzinger, Honorary Chairwoman of the Jewish Religious Community in Wuppertal
Increasing hatred of Jews
In an interview with WDR, Ruth Yael Tutzinger struggles with tears. She reports on an ever-increasing hatred of Jews. There would be a lot of hostility from people who would not know any Jews at all.
There are Holocaust survivors who receive death threats. I wonder: Which lunatics are out there? That's terrifying. This all takes a lot away from me.
Ruth Yael Tutzinger, Honorary Chairwoman of the Jewish Religious Community in Wuppertal
Wuppertal Synagogue is guarded around the clock
After initial investigations, the 37-year-old suspect of Afghan origin may have tried to set a fire at a side entrance to the synagogue. According to the police, synagogue employees were able to extinguish the fire quickly, and the damage to property was minor.
The synagogue is guarded by police officers practically around the clock, which may be why the suspect could be quickly identified. Nothing is known about his identity so far. The police do not want to comment on him until the forensic investigation at the crime scene has been completed.
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Arson attack on synagogue in Wuppertal
Image source: WDR
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Available until 17.09.2028.
The chairman of the Wuppertal Jewish community also confirmed the attack on the synagogue in the Barmen district. The investigation is ongoing and the suspect is being questioned.
There is also an increased police presence at Barmer Rathaus. A precautionary measure in connection with the attack is said to have been taken by the police.
Man threw bags of flammable liquid against synagogue
WDR
17.09.2026.
40 sec.
Available until 17.09.2028.
WDR Online.
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Unsere Quellen
KNA news agency
Police Wuppertal
Jewish Community of Wuppertal
WDR reporter on site
WDR interview with Ruth Yael Tutzinger
Broadcast: WDR.de, Mann threw bags of flammable liquid against synagogue, 17.09.2026, 18:15
"mountainous landscape"
Wuppertal
Crime
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