As German View of Israel Sours, Anti-Semitic Attitudes Rise
Growing number of Germans expressing negative views towards Israel
In a striking contrast to the Israeli perspective, a new survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation reveals that Germans harbor increasingly negative views of Israel. This shift, when compared to the 2021 survey, is marked by an 11% drop in positive opinions towards Israel, leaving only 36% with a favorable outlook, and 38% with a negative one.
Meanwhile, 60% of Israelis maintain a positive image of Germany, with 59% of Germans surveyed holding a negative view of the Israeli government. Strikingly, over two-thirds (68%) of Israelis seek closer cooperation between the two nations, but only 24% of Germans share this sentiment.
Anti-Semitic attitudes have also risen, with 27% of Germans expressing claims of undue Jewish influence – a figure that surpasses the 24% measured four years ago. Anti-Semitism connected to Israel has increased further, as 29% of Germans believe that Israeli policies alienate them from Jews. This sentiment is particularly prevalent among young adults, with support for this viewpoint rising from 14% to 28% among those under 40.
Stephan Vopel, an Israel expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, warned that anti-Semitism remains a pervasive issue, existing in various social and political milieus within Germany.
Eighty years after the war, the German past and the Holocaust continue to shape the perspectives of Germans and Israelis. In Germany, 32% of respondents resist drawing a line under the past, compared to almost twice as many (62%) in Israel.
Systematic differences can be observed based on the level of education, with only 25% of those with a lower education level rejectingdrawing a line under the Holocaust’s past, in contrast to 41% among those with a higher education level. Similarly, political preferences appear to play a significant role, as 63% of AfD supporters expressed a desire to draw a line, compared to just 14% of Green Party supporters.
Surprisingly, 64% of the Israelis surveyed believed that Germany holds a special responsibility towards both the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Conversely, only approximately one-third of Germans regarded themselves as bearing this responsibility towards the Jewish people, and this figure dropped to roughly a quarter regarding the State of Israel.
The representative survey was conducted between February 24th and March 25th, 2025, interviewing 1,346 adults in Germany and 1,367 in Israel.
Although not explicitly mentioned in the survey, historical denial, online hate speech, and resurgent far-right extremism are potential causes leading to the rise in anti-Semitic attitudes in Germany [UL 1]. Educating the public on the dangers of such ideologies, improving regulation of online content, and fostering dialogue are essential to combat this growing problem [UL 2].
The image, once forged through the horrors of the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel, now entwined in complex social, political, and digital players, demands continuous vigilance and sincere efforts to promote peace and mutual understanding.
Source: ntv.de, toh/dpa
- Israel
- Antisemitism
- Holocaust
[UL 1] Search Results: Increase in anti-Semitic attitudes in Germany - causes: Resurgence of Far-Right extremism, Migration and Social tensions, Online Hate Speech, Historical Denial, etc.
[UL 2] Search Results: Responses to Anti-Semitism in Germany - Government Initiatives, Educational Programs, Monitoring and Reporting, Community Support and Dialogue, Online Regulation, etc.
- In light of the increased anti-Semitic attitudes in Germany, it is crucial to address potential causes such as the resurgence of far-right extremism, historical denial, online hate speech, and migration-related social tensions.
- To combat the growing problem of anti-Semitism in Germany, efforts should be made to educate the public on the dangers of such ideologies, improve the regulation of online content, and foster dialogue within communities.
- In contrast to the 64% of Israelis who believe Germany holds a special responsibility towards the Jewish people and the State of Israel, only about one-third of Germans share this belief regarding the Jewish people, and this figure drops to a quarter for the State of Israel.
- The complex relations between Germany and Israel are deeply rooted in history, with ongoing differences in policy preferences and the impact of education and political affiliations on views regarding the Holocaust's legacy.
