Unraveling the Shift: Germans Grow More Critical of Israel and Its Government
Growing Criticism Among Germans Towards Israel's Policies
A stunning transformation in how Germans perceive Israel has occurred over the past few years. The latest survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation reveals a significant deterioration in German public opinion towards Israel, contrasted by Israelis' continued positive view of Germany and its government.
Forty Years of Diplomatic Ties, A Trail of Disparaging Views
The four-decade bond between Israel and Germany – established six decades ago – is evidently in turmoil. German citizens now harbor a predominantly negative view of the Israeli government, while Israelis see Germany and its government in a positive light.
Moreover, the report by the Bertelsmann Foundation discusses the worrying surge in anti-Semitic attitudes, particularly amongst Germany's younger demographic. This trend diverges from that of Israelis, who significantly endorse Israel's standing.
nostalgia's Shadow: Shifting Sentiments Amid Generational and Political Differences
By comparing data from 2021 to 2025, it's evident that German approval of Israel has plummeted substantially: from 46% positive views three years ago to a mere 36% in 2025. Meanwhile, Israel's unfavorable rating among Germans has doubled, rising from 18% in 2021 to 38% in 2025.
Unsurprisingly, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict plays a central role in this shifting sentiment. Germany's citizens, in massive numbers, strongly oppose Israel's military actions in Gaza, which have stirred up significant controversy amidst vocal public demonstrations – reflecting the growing choir of political critics.
Where Loyalties Lie: Political Fallout and the Uneasy Balance
At the heart of Germany's government, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) both uphold strong support for Israel. However, there are stark contrasts between the parties:
- The CDU typically aligns tightly with Israel's security concerns, backing Israel's right to defend itself.
- The SPD, with factions carrying historical sympathies for the Palestinian cause, has taken a significantly more critical stance concerning Israel's right-wing government policies, particularly on settlement expansion and human rights issues.
These differences have catalyzed internal tensions within the ruling coalition, especially on issues such as arms sales to Israel, the enforcement of Israel-related foreign policy, and potential civil and political rights infringements in Germany.
The Rise and Fall of Antisemitism: Demographic Patterns and Questions Left Unanswered
To date, there is limited data on the correlation between antisemitic attitudes and specific age groups in Germany. However, current events suggest that younger Germans tend to hold more critical perspectives regarding Israel's policies, primarily driven by global justice movements.
Meanwhile, political affiliations have a significant impact on attitudes towards Israel and antisemitism. Far-right political groups pose a significant threat as they have historically demonstrated links to antisemitic sentiments, while mainstream CDU/SPD members maintain official stances against hate speech.
The Bertelsmann Survey: A Portrait of German Opinions and the Israeli Connection
Running from February 24 to March 25, 2025, the representative survey conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation gathered opinions from 1,346 adults in Germany and 1,367 in Israel. As the narrative around Israel and its relationship with Germany evolves, so does the dynamic involving democratic principles, civil rights, and international alliances.
Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa
Keywords: Israel, Antisemitism, Germany, Holocaust, Diplomatic Relations, Politics, Survey, Anti-Israel Sentiments, Public Opinion, Political affiliations, Gaza conflict, Human rights, CDU, SPD, Antisemitic attitudes by age group, Far-right political movements.
- The community policy in Germany has shown a significant shift inpublic opinion towards Israel, as revealed in the latest survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation, contrasting with Israelis' continued positive view of Germany and its government.
- Employment policy within Israel-Germany relations has not directly been affected by the recent deterioration in public opinion, as Israel continues to perceive Germany positively.
- The General-news narrative regarding Germany and Israel is experiencing tension due to the surge in anti-Semitic attitudes, particularly among younger demographics in Germany, a trend that differs from the majority of Israelis.
- German political parties, such as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), demonstrate divergent preferences in their stance on Israel, with the CDU aligning closely with Israel's security concerns and the SPD taking a more critical view of Israeli right-wing government policies, particularly on settlement expansion and human rights issues.
