Germany’s Federal Minister of the Interior has condemned the shocking violence and antisemitism at anti-Israel demonstrations in Berlin last weekend.

Nancy Faeser voiced her disgust at the shocking scenes when 500 or so protesters gathered in the German capital’s Neukölln district on Saturday.

The minister tweeted: “There is no place for antisemitism in our society. We must never get used to antisemitic insults – no matter where and from whom they come.”

A violent mob surrounded journalists covering the event, kicking them in the shins, pushing them over, spitting at them and shouting “dirty Jew”, “Jewish sh**” and “Zionist press”.

At one point, a team from the 160 police officers deployed at the event was sent directly into the fray to rescue a journalist who had been pushed to the ground as protesters hurled stones and wooden placards.

This behaviour has also been condemned by Germany’s Central Council of Muslims.

General secretary Abdassamad El Yazidi said: “Anyone who claims to be protesting for Palestine by insulting Jews has understood neither their religion nor the message of their prophet.”

Police investigators examining video footage have established a 40-strong group of young men as being the most aggressive element of the crowd. Police have initiated criminal investigations into serious breaches of the peace, grievous bodily harm and incitement to hatred.

The previous day, two police officers were injured at another anti-Israeli demonstration in Neukölln.