The German Makkabi sports club where Muslims outnumber Jews

When they sweat it out at a big German sports club, Jewish, Muslim and other athletes are also sending a strong signal against rising antisemitism, the head of Makkabi Frankfurt told AFP.

Founded in 1965 and named after the Maccabee rebel Jewish warriors that fought the Seleucid Greek Empire, the club was set up for Jews in and around Frankfurt to have somewhere to play sport safely, before later opening up to all, club president Alon Meyer said.

"It is a Jewish sports club, set up to create a safe space for our Jewish fellow citizens in Frankfurt and the surrounding area, for them to take part in sport without fear," he said.

"But as we've developed, we've come to use sport as a way to create ambassadors for good," he added. "We have more Muslims than Jews in our club, and that is right and important."

About 90 percent of Makkabi Frankfurt members -- who carry the Jewish Star of David on their jersey -- are not Jewish, but all of them may experience antisemitism.

"Anyone wearing the stylised Star of David on their chest is automatically perceived as Jewish and is therefore exposed to the hostility directed at every single Jew, even if they are a devout Muslim," Meyer said.

"The moment they put on the shirt they have to grapple with that and also, to some extent, to engage when it comes to discussions around racism."

Makkabi moved in June into a new 21-million-euro ($23.5 million) complex designed by Albert Speer & Partner, an architectural practice founded by Albert Speer Jr.

Speer Sr. was the favourite architect of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler and served as armaments minister during World War II.

"Children cannot be held responsible for their parents if they've thankfully chosen another, completely different path," Meyer said.

"And Albert Speer Jr. has."

The complex contains white and blue buildings bearing the Star of David as well as bulletproof glass and CCTV installed in close coordination with the authorities.

Acts of vandalism and serious incidents are rare, Meyer said, but there was a noticeable uptick after the October 7, 2023 attacks carried out by Hamas and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza.

"Antisemitism is palpable here in Germany, including Frankfurt, and it was very much in evidence," he said.

"But in places where Makkabi is trying to bring about improvement though sport the situation has got better."