Jewish Communities in Germany Under Duress: One-Third Suffer Attacks
New data from the Central Council of Jews in Germany reveals that nearly a third of the communities have endured assaults. The study also underscores an uptick in "psychological pressure" from threatening phone calls and emails. According to the survey, 80% of community leaders have reported a visible drop in the safety they feel as Jews in Germany, particularly since October 7. This heightened insecurity has pushed many communities to their breaking points.
Central Council President Josef Schuster summed up the disheartening findings at the presentation of the situation report, mentioning that the main victims are the elderly, families with children, and young people. Despite this challenging climate, the data shows an overwhelming trust in the security authorities. Over 96% of surveyed communities agreed that cooperation with the security forces is satisfactory.
Schuster highlighted the report's intriguing aspects, including how uncertainties lurk amid this trust. He emphasized that it's crucial not to allow extremists, from any ideological standpoint, to jeopardize the Jewish community. Schuster heavily criticized anti-Semitic sentiments rising from the far-left camp and expressed concern over increasing anti-Semitic statements and activities from left-wing academic circles.
Schuster pointed out the impact of the Hamas attacks on Jewish communities, particularly in Berlin and cities within North Rhine-Westphalia. People wearing kippahs or Star of David necklaces now face potential insults or attacks in these regions.
The data also reveals that the far-right threat hasn't waned, albeit other groups have gained more prominence. Schuster stressed that they must uphold their freedom to live in Germany, their country.
Further Reading
- Antisemitic incidents, including extreme violence, attacks, property damage, threats, and abusive behavior, have significantly increased in Berlin, with 1,383 incidents recorded in the first half of 2024, compared to 1,270 in 2023.
- Jewish community members in Berlin are increasingly concealing their religious identities due to the growing threat of antisemitic incidents.
- The outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, has caused a surge in pro-Hamas demonstrations and antisemitic incidents across Germany. These demonstrations have sometimes led to serious bodily harm to Jews.
- Germany's federal parliament has passed a motion to tackle antisemitism and hostility towards Israel within schools and universities. The motion includes measures to ensure that antisemitic behavior leads to sanctions, bolster research funding, and invite Jewish life engagement from students.
- The head of Germany’s largest police union has voiced the need for enhanced security measures, including expanded powers to combat antisemitism and extremism, and strengthening uniform standards for German police forces.
- The German government is advocating for training programs for educators to create a more welcoming environment towards Jews while addressing hostility to Israelis.
- Legislation to prohibit expressions like ‘from the river to the sea’ on social media and impose consequences for violations is under consideration, representing a push to protect society from hate speech and extremism.
- Organizations like the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) are advocating for human rights and demanding accountability from authorities regarding police repression and freedom of expression issues related to Palestinian events.
In summary, Jewish communities in Germany are grappling with a spike in antisemitic incidents. While the situation is pressing, there is a strong trust in the cooperation with security authorities. The far-left has recently gained prominence in spreading anti-Semitic sentiments, sometimes inflamed by the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a nation, Germany is taking measures to combat antisemitism through legislation, enhanced security, and educational initiatives to create a more inclusive environment for Jews.
