An Israeli tourist visiting Berlin was attacked on the street Sunday evening. He suffered a black eye, bruises, and fractured fingers. 

The man, 22, was beaten and kicked, by four apparently Muslim men, upon leaving a a Chabad house in Berlin’s Wilmersdorf neighborhood. Reports indicated that the assailants were four men who spoke German with an Arabic accent. 

Although not wearing anything that may have identified him as Jewish, the victim was certain his identity was the impetus for the attack. “I have no doubt they attacked me because I looked Jewish or Israeli to them,” he told Yedioth Aharanoth.

Describing the assault, the Israeli stated, “Right after I left, four people suddenly jumped me and cursed me in German with an Arab accent. They beat and kicked me.”

“They really had murder in their eyes. I was in shock. Some passersby came to help and they simply ran away, otherwise I don’t know how it would have ended.”

The victim was treated for his wounds at a German hospital, but he will return to Israel soon for further medical attention. 

German police are investigating the incident and trying to determine the motives behind the assault. As the victim was not robbed by his attackers, it appears likely to have been a hate crime. 

The Israeli was visiting Germany to look into the option of moving to Berlin. He cited the economic situation in Israel as reason, adding that this attack would not deter him from making the final move. 

“I did not believe that this was the situation in Berlin, but even though I was attacked, it will not prevent me from living here. I’m not scared of this nonsense,” he stated adamantly. 

A recent survey attests to the fact that Anti-Semitism and resentment toward Israel have risen sharply in recent months in Germany. 

More than one in four respondents in the new poll equated the Jewish state’s treatment of Palestinian Arabs to Nazi persecution of Jews during World War Two. 

“The lines between anti-Semitism and substantive criticism of Israel are becoming blurred and that is a problem,” the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, who conducts the bi-annual survey, said in a statement.