Anti-Hamas Islamic school principle claims attacker tried to push him in front of train - Jerusalem Post Staff

 

by Jerusalem Post Staff

Mashhadani’s school became the target of multiple threats after Hamas’s October 7 attacks, as pro-Palestinian groups took issue with Mashhadani’s co-existence ethos.

 

A PROTESTER holds a Palestinian flag, on top of an underground station, at a rally in Berlin, marking a year since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, last October. Talk to some Jews, and you will hear them say that Europe has become inhospitable to Jews, says the writer.

(photo credit: Lisi Niesner/Reuters)

The principal of an Arabic school in Berlin, who has previously expressed opposition to Hamas and installed Israeli-Palestinian peace programs at the school, was nearly killed on Friday after being pushed in front of a train, he told the German media outlet Tagesspiegel on Friday.

Hudhaifa al-Mashhadani told the German newspaper he was attacked by a man at the Rathaus Neukölln subway station in the morning, and that the unknown assailant intended to push him in front of an oncoming train.

Mashhadani confirmed that he has since filed a police report.

Mashhadani, who is also Secretary General of the German-Arab Council, wrote to the police: “As the subway arrived and I was about to get into the front car – the one directly next to the driver – I was suddenly and completely unexpectedly pushed several times violently from behind, as if someone wanted to push me in front of the train.”

The attacker also made"threatening hand gestures," Mashhadani said, adding that he believed the attacker recognized him. 

Pro-Palestinian protesters fly Palestinian flags after unveiling a banner reading, “Never again genocide - Freedom for Palestine”, on top of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, November 13, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/ANNEGRET HILSE)

Following the assault, the school principal described the incident to friends and acquaintances, and believes to now has clues about the identity of the attacker.

Attacks against the Berlin pro-coexistence school

Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the "cowardly act" on Friday evening. 

"Berlin belongs to those who build bridges – not to those who spread hatred," Wegner said.

Mashhadani’s school became the target of multiple threats after Hamas’s October 7 attacks, as pro-Palestinian groups took issue with Mashhadani’s co-existence ethos and advocacy for Arab-Israeli exchange. The school, Ibn Khaldun, has reportedly been under police protection for months.

Jerusalem Post Staff

Source: https://www.jpost.com/international/article-873908

Follow Middle East and Terrorism on Twitter