Germany's Changing View on Israel: A Shift Towards Criticism
Growing Criticism Towards Israel Among Germans, According to Recent Survey - Growing Criticism Towards Israel Among German Citizens, According to Recent Survey
Hey there! Let's dive into a fascinating study by the Bertelsmann Foundation that sheds light on a shift in public opinion about Israel among Germans.
While Israelli sentiment towards Germany and its government remains predominantly positive, a new survey reveals that German views on Israel have grown increasingly critical in recent times. In 2021, 46% of Germans had a positive view of Israel. Fast forward to 2025, that number has dipped to a mere 36%, while the number of those with a negative view has risen to 38%[1][2][3]. In contrast, 60% of Israelis hold a favorable view of Germany.
The survey also highlights a troubling increase in classic and modern forms of antisemitism within Germany, particularly among the younger generation[1]. Antisemitic attitudes, such as perceiving Jewish influence as disproportionately large, have reached their highest level in years, with 27% of respondents expressing such views[1]. Additionally, anti-Israel antisemitism has escalated, with 29% of respondents implying that Israel's policies are making Jews less sympathetic towards them. This figure is particularly alarming among those under 40, as agreement with this statement rose from 14% to 28%[1].
Stephan Vopel, Israel expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, commented, "Antisemitism is not a mere quirk in Germany but a pervasive issue across various societal milieus and political spectrums"[1].
The German past, specifically the Holocaust, continues to cast a long shadow over the perspectives of Germans and Israelis, 80 years after the war. However, more people in Israel attribute significance to this memory than in Germany: While 32% of Germans dismiss the necessity to draw a line under the past, it almost doubles in Israel (62%)[1].
Interestingly, there are clear differences in these views based on educational level and political preferences. Among those with low education, only 25% reject drawing a line under the Holocaust's past, compared to 41% among the highly educated. Moreover, 63% of AfD supporters favor drawing a line under the past, compared to only 14% among Greens supporters[1].
Notably, while 64% of Israelis believe that Germany holds a special responsibility towards both the Jewish people and the state of Israel, only about a third of Germans share this view regarding the Jewish people, and even fewer (around a quarter) regarding the state of Israel[1].
So, there you have it! This representative survey, conducted in February - March 2025, provides a snapshot of shifting perspectives on Israel among Germans[1].
Let's not forget, all y'all history buffs, that Israel and Germany re-established diplomatic relations six decades ago[1]. Crazy, right? This survey sheds light on the fascinating evolutions and complexities in the relationship between these two nations.
Stay sharp, and keep learning!
[1] Bertelsmann Foundation Survey Data 2021-2025[2] German public opposition to Israel's military campaigns, especially Gaza conflict (Various sources from October 7, 2023, onwards)[3] Mounting pressure on the German government to reconsider stance on Israel (Various sources from 2021-2025)
- The survey conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation reveals a notable shift in German policy towards Israel, with a decrease in positive views of Israel from 46% in 2021 to 36% in 2025.
- The change in German opinion is contrasted with the consistent positive sentiments towards Germany held by Israelis, with 60% of them expressing favorable views.
- The survey also underlines an unsettling increase in both classic and modern forms of antisemitism among Germans, particularly the younger generation, with 27% expressing Jewish influence as disproportionately large.
- Opinions on drawing a line under the past, specifically regarding the Holocaust, show a significant divergence, with 62% of Israelis convinced of its importance compared to only a third of Germans.
- Educational level and political preferences play a substantial role in these viewpoints, with such differences evident in the percentages of those who reject the necessity to draw a line under the Holocaust's past (25% among the low-educated versus 41% among the highly-educated).
