Berlin Jewish museum ups security

By · January 22, 2008

Berlin’s Jewish Museum is increasing its security following a terror alert for Jewish institutions in Germany.

The Jewish Museum, the most visited museum in Germany, is installing metal bollards outside the building as protection against possible terror attacks.

The German Interior Ministry would not confirm reports of the terror alert but Stephan Kramer, the secretary general of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said security has been beefed up at all Jewish institutions in the country. He emphasized, however, that there was no need to panic.

Since its opening just after the terror attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, the museum has screened virtually all visitors with metal detectors.The museum in Berlin does not belong to the Jewish community.

Eva Soderman, a museum spokeswoman, said the bollards will be similar to those installed a few years ago outside the Centrum Judaicum, which houses a museum and the New Synagogue. Soderman said the museum had consulted with Berlin police and might initiate a more thorough screening of visitors.

The incoming president of Berlin’s Jewish community, Lala Susskind, told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper that such terror warnings are nothing new to Germany’s Jewish community.

German security authorities issued the alert on Jan. 11, reportedly based on a tip from an al-Qaida member they interrogated.