FLENSBURG, Germany (VINnews) — A Jewish woman attending a court hearing in northern Germany involving a shop owner accused of inciting hatred against Jews said she was required to remove her Star of David necklace before being allowed to enter the courtroom, according to Israeli media reports.

Karen Stopka said court security officers ordered her to remove and surrender the necklace while attending proceedings against a Flensburg shop owner who displayed a sign barring Jews from entering his store. The sign sparked widespread outrage in Germany and prompted legal action.

“I don’t know when I last took off the necklace,” Stopka was quoted as saying. “It is part of my identity.”

A spokesperson for the court confirmed that Stopka was asked to remove the necklace during security screening. According to court officials, a security order issued before the hearing prohibited items that could disrupt proceedings, and security personnel interpreted the directive as applying to religious symbols.

The hearing concerned Hans Velten Reisch, a Flensburg shop owner who drew national condemnation after displaying a sign that read, “Jews are banned from entering here.” German officials and Jewish organizations denounced the message as antisemitic and reminiscent of Nazi-era discrimination.

The incident involving the necklace drew criticism because it occurred during court proceedings related to alleged anti-Jewish discrimination. Israeli media reports said the woman was not permitted to wear the necklace under her clothing or keep it in her pocket while attending the hearing.