Antisemitism on the Rise in Germany: A Dangerous and Disturbing Trend
Germany experiences over 8,600 instances of Jewish individuals encountering pressure
In a chilling turn of events, Jews in Germany are feeling increasingly threatened and pressured due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and escalating right-wing hostility. According to Benjamin Steinitz, CEO of the Federal Association of Research and Information Centers on Antisemitism (RIAS), there's been an alarming 77% increase in antisemitic incidents compared to the previous year, with a total of 8,627 incidents recorded in 2024.
The Numbers Don't Lie
The data, collected by RIAS, paints a grim picture. There were eight instances of extreme violence, 186 attacks, 443 property damage incidents, and 300 cases of threats. The most common antisemitic incidents were "offensive behavior," with 7,514 such reports. Strikingly, right-wing extremists were involved in 544 cases—the highest number since recording began in 2020.
In the category of "Israel-related antisemitism," there was a startling increase, more than doubling the number from the previous year. These incidents often involve Jews in Germany being held accountable for actions of the Israeli government, Israel being demonized, or its right to exist being denied. However, criticism of the Israeli government remains permissible, as Steinitz emphasized.
Antisemitic incidents were also documented at universities (450) and schools (284), including 19 attacks. The October 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel served as a turning point, with Steinitz stating that the danger of being targeted as a Jew or Jewish woman in Germany has objectively increased since then.
Real-life Scenarios
Among the instances of extreme violence, RIAS reported an attack by a Berlin student on a Jewish fellow student outside a bar in early 2024, as well as the deadly attack by a suspected IS sympathizer at a city festival in Solingen and an attack by a suspected Islamist on the Israeli consulate and an NS documentation center in Munich.
In one Oldenburg case, two men held a Jewish student on her way to school and insulted her as a "dirty Jew." In Leipzig's parks, 10 to 15 right-wing extremists attacked three men discussing antisemitism. In Saxon Switzerland, a man verbal abused a woman as a "Nazi" and pushed her because she had a bag with the inscription "Feminist Zionist."
Among the 443 property damage incidents, there were 50 cases in residential areas. In March, unknown individuals smeared two swastikas next to a Jewish couple's door in Hamburg, and in April, a Star of David marked the home of a Jewish person in Leipzig. This sends a threatening message to the victims: They know where they live.
Methodology and Criticism
The rise in antisemitic incidents is also reflected in official statistics since October 7, 2023. The unique aspect of RIAS's numbers is that they report incidents that have been reported to their reporting centers by those affected or witnesses. However, a recently published report by journalist Itay Mashiach accused RIAS of "opaque methods" and criticized an "overemphasis on 'Israel-related antisemitism'". Steinitz dismissed these accusations, while the German government's antisemitism commissioner, Felix Klein, noted his trust in RIAS's work.
The Path Forward
Klein described the numbers as shocking and emphasized the need for a more focused, intense, and successful fight against antisemitism. Cooperation with countries, municipalities, associations, clubs, and individuals, as well as a decrease in antisemitic incidents, is crucial to achieving this goal.
If the Gaza conflict were to end, Jewish Student Union president Ron Dekel believes the situation in Germany and on campuses could improve. However, he acknowledged that "antisemitism related to Israel has long been the main problem for Jewish students" and will likely continue to be a significant issue.
Understanding the causes and effects of the increase in antisemitic incidents in Germany is crucial to mitigating this rising trend. A multi-faceted approach that combines strong governmental and societal efforts is needed to create a safer, more inclusive environment for the Jewish community in Germany.
- Despite the ongoing issue of antisemitism on the rise in Germany, the weather doesn't seem to have had a direct impact on the increasing incidents, as reported by Benjamin Steinitz and the Federal Association of Research and Information Centers on Antisemitism (RIAS).
- As the Jewish community in Germany faces a surge in antisemitic incidents, there's been a growing concern about personal safety and well-being, making discussions about the weather seem less significant in addressing this dangerous and disturbing trend.
