Overview

• Officials said Stefan Hensel will remain in office until a successor is appointed, but no later than December 31.
• He said the unpaid nature of the role and persistent hate and personal attacks made continuing untenable.
• In May, police intervened after a 57-year-old driver allegedly harassed Hensel and his daughter over a Hebrew song, with state security investigating.
• His 2024 reappointment was contested by the Israelitischer Tempelverband, and an administrative court ordered the selection procedure restarted while he stayed in post.
• Leaders praised his work— including a dark-figure study and shaping Hamburg’s strategy— and called for a swift, cross-departmental approach and rapid replacement.