Jews should not wear skullcaps in parts of Germany, a government official has warned.
Felix Klein, the German governments top official against anti-Semitism, says Jews should be cautious about where they choose to wear the Kippah.
He told the Funke newspaper group: 'My opinion has unfortunately changed compared with what it used to be.
'I cannot recommend to Jews that they wear the skullcap at times everywhere in Germany.'
Germany's main Jewish leader said last year he would advise people visiting big cities against wearing skullcaps.
The number of anti-Semitic and anti-foreigner incidents rose in Germany last year, according to government statistics released earlier this month.
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That is despite an overall drop in politically motivated crimes.
His comments came just weeks after Berlin's top legal expert on anti-Semitism said the issue remains entrenched in German society.
'Anti-Semitism has always been here. But I think that recently, it has again become louder, more aggressive and flagrant,' Claudia Vanoni told AFP in an interview, adding the problem was 'deeply rooted' in German society.
Anti-Semitic crimes rose 20 percent in Germany last year, according to interior ministry data which blamed nine out of ten cases on the extreme right.
Vanoni said online platforms that allow extremist views had fostered the rise in cases.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
