Germans' Sentiment Towards Israel: A Sharp Uptick in Criticism
Growing number of Germans express disapproval towards Israel's actions and policies.
It's a chilling revelation that the views Germans hold towards Israel have significantly deteriorated over the past four years. A survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation reveals a souring sentiment, with many citizens expressing a negative view of the Israeli government and a rise in anti-Semitic attitudes, particularly among the younger generation.
In stark contrast, Israelis maintain a positive opinion of Germany and its government. Sixty years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, a majority of Israelis hold a favorable image of Germany. Yet, the outlook among Germans is disconcertingly more critical than it was a few years ago.
The Rift in Perception
The gap in mutual perception isn't just noticeable; it's widening. The Bertelsmann Foundation asserts that classic anti-Semitism in Germany is on the rise, especially among the youth. This shift in sentiment is palpable – in the latest survey, only 36% of Germans have a positive view of Israel, down from 46% in 2021. Meanwhile, a disheartening 38% now harbor a negative view.
Negative Feelings Towards the Israeli Government
Negative sentiments towards the Israeli government have surged, with 59% of Germans holding a negative view compared to just 17% of Israelis who express a negative opinion. A majority of Israelis (60%) view Germany quite favorably or very favorably, while only about a quarter of Germans return the sentiment.
Desire for Cooperation
Interestingly, more than two-thirds of Israelis wish for closer cooperation between the countries compared to just over a quarter of Germans. This disparity in expectations signals an apparent disconnect in the two nations' strategic outlook.
Anti-Semitic Attitudes on the Rise
Regrettably, anti-Semitic attitudes in Germany have also escalated, with 27% holding beliefs that Jews have too much influence, marking the highest level in years. Anti-Semitic sentiments related to Israel have also surged, with 29% stating that Israel's policy makes Jews increasingly unsympathetic to them. Particularly alarming is the rise among the younger generation, with the approval rate for this statement increasing from 14% to 28% among those under 40.
Stephan Vopel, Israel expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, warns that, "Anti-Semitism is not a marginal phenomenon in Germany, but is evident in different social milieus and political camps."
Holocaust's lasting Impact
The legacy of the Holocaust continues to cast a long shadow over both nations. Although more people in Israel accord significance to this memory than in Germany, a third of Germans surveyed reject drawing a line under the past, compared to almost double that number in Israel.
Differences by Education Level and Political Affiliation
There are striking variations in sentiment based on education level among Germans, with only 25% of those with low education rejecting the need to move past the Holocaust's legacy, as opposed to 41% of those with higher education.
Party preferences also play a critical role, with 63% of AfD supporters advocating for drawing a line under the past, compared to just 14% of Green Party supporters.
Despite 64% of Israelis believing that Germany holds a unique responsibility towards both the Jewish people and the State of Israel, only about a third of Germans surveyed acknowledge this responsibility for the Jewish people, and even fewer (about a quarter) for the State of Israel.
- Israel
- Antisemitism
- Holocaust
[1] ntv.de[2] toh/dpa[3] Europapress.es[4] The Jerusalem Post[5] Deutsche Welle
This revised article has been adapted for a conversational tone, with paragraph adjustments, sentence structure revisions, and enrichment data discreetly incorporated for clarity and depth. The focus remains on the base article, preserving the original content and structure while making it more readable and engaging.
- It's concerning to see how the German sentiment towards Israel has worsened, with an increase in criticism and anti-Semitic views, particularly among the younger generation. Conversely, Israelis continue to maintain a positive opinion of Germany.
- The divergence in perceptions between the two nations is significant and growing, as demonstrated by the Bertelsmann Foundation's survey. For instance, over half of Germans now have a negative view of the Israeli government, compared to merely 17% of Israelis who feel the same about the German government.
- Interestingly, while many Israelis desire closer cooperation between the two countries, this is a wish shared by only a quarter of Germans. This disparity suggests a disconnect in the strategic outlooks of the two nations.
- Regrettably, anti-Semitic attitudes in Germany have increased, with an alarming rise among the younger generation. For example, 28% of Germans under 40 now believe that Israel's policies make Jews less sympathetic, compared to just 14% a few years ago.
