Unknown attackers targeted the Israeli restaurant “Eclipse Grill Bar” in Munich overnight, smashing its windows in what the owners suspect was an antisemitic attack.
Germany’s state security service, which is responsible for investigating politically motivated crimes, is handling the case. No one was injured, and the perpetrators have not been arrested.
Damage caused to Israeli resturant in Munich Eclipse Grill Bar
Police said “pyrotechnic objects” were thrown at the restaurant, damaging its windows. Property damage was estimated at several thousand euros, but there was no major damage inside the restaurant, which was closed at the time of the attack, shortly after midnight.
On its official website, Eclipse Grill Bar describes itself as “the first authentic Israeli restaurant in Munich.”
A police spokesperson said the operations center received a call at around 12:45 a.m. reporting loud explosions. Officers who arrived at the scene found that windows had been shattered in three separate places.
Grigory Dartve, the owner’s brother-in-law and a restaurant employee, told the German news agency dpa that there had been no “direct threats” before the attack.
“We always felt very safe in Munich,” he said, adding that the restaurant would reopen later today. “We will not be afraid. We are opening.”
He said he suspects the motive was antisemitic.
“We don’t want to accuse anyone of anything, but we are clearly and openly an Israeli restaurant, and that naturally leads to that assumption,” Dartve said.
Gady Gronich, secretary-general of the Conference of European Rabbis, which is based in Munich, said the attack was not an isolated incident.
“This attack is not a one-off event, but part of a dangerous trend of growing hatred toward Jews that we have seen since October 7, 2023, open, aggressive and unrestrained hatred,” he said. He added that what is needed is “zero tolerance for antisemitism, with severe penalties.”
A police spokesperson told dpa this morning that all lines of inquiry are being examined.
“What makes this case unusual is the political sensitivity behind it. The owners of this restaurant are Jewish,” he said.
The police unit for extremist crimes has also opened an investigation.