Gauging German Opinion on Israel: A Shift Towards Criticism, According to Bertelsmann Survey
Growing Criticism of Israel Among Germans Gains Strength
Hanging in the balance, 60 years after the forging of diplomatic links between Germany and Israel, the Jewish state remains an object of largely favorable sentiments among Israelis when it comes to their perception of Germany and its administration. Conversely, a study conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation brings to light a shifting tide in German sentiments towards Israel – a growing wave of criticism.
Not merely a divergence in viewpoints, this survey underscores an ominous rise in classical antisemitism, particularly within Germany's younger generation, claims the Bertelsmann Foundation.
In stark contrast to the 2021 report, a palpable shift can be seen – back then, 46 percent of Germans harbored positive sentiments towards Israel. Today, that figure dwindles to a mere 36 percent, while a disheartening 38 percent express a negative view of the Jewish state. Compared to this, 60 percent of Israelis continue to hold positive or extremely positive sentiments towards Germany.
Delving deeper, antisemitic sentiments reared their ugly head, with 27 percent of Germans expressing agreement that disproportionate Jewish influence exerts a nefarious impact. Israel-fueled antisemitism took an upward turn, with 29 percent of Germans asserting that Israel's policies only serve to make Jews appear less sympathetic. This view seems to have gained traction among the younger crowd, as support for this notion increased from a dismal 14 percent to an alarming 28 percent among those under 40 years old.
"Antisemitism doesn't wear a marginal cloak in Germany, but rather unveils itself in various circles and political movements," said Stephan Vopel, an Israel expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation.
As the ghosts of Germany's past continue to linger and cast a long shadow some 80 years post-war, the memory of the Holocaust continues to weigh heavily on both the minds of Germans and Israelis. However, it seems more people in Israel than in Germany acknowledge the indelible impact of this historical trauma: While 32 percent of Germans staunchly refuse to draw a line under the past, that percentage nearly doubles in Israel (62 percent).
References: ntv.de, dpa (not found in the provided data)
- The Bertelsmann Foundation's study highlights a striking divergence in the employment policies towards Israel, as German sentiment shifts from mostly favorable to a growing wave of criticism.
- Interestingly, while employment policy within Germany appears to be undergoing a change, the employment policy of Israelis towards Germany remains largely positive, according to recent statistics.
- The community policy, as reflected in the Bertelsmann survey, shows a significant drop in positive sentiment towards Israel amongst Germans, with only 36% harboring positive views in contrast to 46% in 2021.
- In the domain of politics, particularly general-news and crime-and-justice, the Bertelsmann Foundation's study indicates a concerning rise in antisemitic opinions, especially among the younger generation, with 28% of Germans under 40 expressing agreement with the idea that Israel's policies make Jews appear less sympathetic.
