Antisemitic Vandalism at Munich's Eclipse Grillbar

On April 10, 2026, the Eclipse Grillbar, an Israeli restaurant in Munich, Germany, was vandalized in a suspected antisemitic attack. Authorities reported that unknown individuals threw pyrotechnic devices into the restaurant, breaking windows and causing damage estimated at several thousand euros. The incident occurred around 12:45 a.m. local time, while the premises were empty, and no injuries were reported. Munich's criminal police have taken over the investigation, with assistance from Andreas Franck, the Bavarian justice system’s antisemitism commissioner.

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Grigori Dratva, the restaurant's owner, indicated a possible political motive behind the attack, stating, "We don’t want to make accusations, but we are a visible Israeli restaurant, so the assumption is obvious." Despite the vandalism, Dratva expressed determination to reopen the restaurant later that same day, emphasizing, "We will not be intimidated." The incident has sparked a rally scheduled for the same day, with various organizations and individuals expected to show solidarity with the restaurant.

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The attack has drawn responses from political figures, including Talya Lador-Fresher, Israel’s Consul General for southern Germany, who encouraged the public to visit the restaurant as a form of support. Ludwig Spaenle, the Bavarian government’s antisemitism commissioner, condemned the act, stating, "You can criticize the Israeli government, but you cannot attack such institutions." These statements reflect a broader concern regarding rising antisemitism in Germany.

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Antisemitic incidents in Germany have reached record levels, with authorities recording 6,236 cases in 2024, including 173 violent incidents. Approximately half of these offences are attributed to far-right groups, while around 31% are linked to what authorities classify as "foreign ideology." The rise in antisemitic crimes has been particularly pronounced following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli military response in Gaza.

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While official statistics indicate a significant increase in antisemitic incidents, there is criticism regarding the accuracy of these figures. A study by Bielefeld University suggests that only about one in four antisemitic incidents are reported to authorities, often due to a lack of trust in institutions. Independent organizations, such as the Research and Information Centre on Antisemitism (RIAS), reported even higher numbers, with 8,627 incidents recorded in 2024, a 77% increase from the previous year. However, RIAS's methodology has faced scrutiny for potentially broad definitions of antisemitism related to Israel.

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• "We will not be intimidated. We will open." — Grigori Dratva, Owner of Eclipse Grillbar

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• "The best and most sensible response to this attack is to visit the restaurant and eat there." — Talya Lador-Fresher, Israel’s Consul General for southern Germany

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• "You can criticize the Israeli government, but you cannot attack such institutions." — Ludwig Spaenle, Bavarian Government’s Antisemitism Commissioner

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