Sentiment Towards Israel: A Study of Changing German Perceptions
Growing numbers of Germans expressing dissatisfaction towards Israel's actions and policies.
The perception of Israel amongst Germans has drastically worsened over the past four years. The Bertelsmann Foundation's survey indicates that the government and Jews, in general, are facing increased criticism, with anti-Semitic attitudes on the rise, particularly among the younger generation.
In contrast, Israelis generally view Germany and its authorities in a favorable light. Yet, the German public has become increasingly critical of Israel, according to the foundation's recent survey.
A Split in Perspectives
The divide in mutual perceptions isn't limited to this shift, as the foundation points out. The foundation has also noticed a resurgence of classic anti-Semitism in Germany, with 27% of the population exhibiting this behavior. Four years ago, this figure was 24%.
The change in sentiment compared to the 2021 survey is striking. In 2021, 46% of respondents held a positive view of Israel, whereas currently, only 36% maintain a positive opinion while 38% express a negative one. In Israel, however, 60% view Germany positively.
The Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism
The study revealed that 59% of Germans hold a negative image of the Israeli government, while only 17% of Israelis see the German government unfavorably. Over two-thirds (68%) of those surveyed in Israel desire closer ties between the countries, compared to 24% in Germany.
Anti-Semitism: A Persistent Problem
Anti-Semitic remarks such as allegations of excessive Jewish influence have reached their highest level in years, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation (27%). Four years ago, this percentage was 24%. Furthermore, Israel-related anti-Semitism has also increased with 29% of respondents asserting that Israeli policies make Jews less sympathetic to them. Interestingly, among those under 40, such approval rates have risen from 14% to 28%.
Stephan Vopel, an Israel expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, commented, "Anti-Semitism is not a fringe issue in Germany. It can be found in various social circles and political camps."
The enduring impact of Germany's past, particularly the Holocaust, continues to influence the relationship between Germans and Israelis 80 years since the war. However, significantly more people in Israel place importance on the significance of this memory than in Germany, with 62% of Israelis focusing on the past compared to only 32% of Germans.
Differences by Education and Political Affiliation
The survey revealed that education levels and political preferences play a role in attitudes towards the past and present. Only 25% of respondents with low educational attainment dismiss the significance of the Holocaust's legacy compared to 41% of those with higher education.
Party preferences also matter, with 63% of AfD supporters being in favor of moving past the past, compared to only 14% of Green Party supporters.
Interestingly, 64% of Israelis believe that Germany bears a special responsibility towards both the Jewish people and the state of Israel. However, only around a third of Germans surveyed feel a sense of responsibility towards the Jewish people, and even fewer (approximately a quarter) feel a sense of responsibility towards the state of Israel.
The representative survey, conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, interviewed 1,346 adults in Germany and 1,367 in Israel between February 24 and March 25, 2025.
- Israel
- Antisemitism
- Holocaust
- In light of the study, it appears that German relations with Israel are characterized by a significant divergence in perspectives, with the German public showing increasing criticism towards Israel, while Israelis generally maintain positive views of Germany.
- The Bertelsmann Foundation's survey has highlighted a concerning resurgence of anti-Semitic attitudes in Germany, with 27% of the population exhibiting this behavior, compared to 24% four years ago, according to the study.
- Furthermore, the study indicates a striking change in sentiments towards Israel; whereas in 2021, 46% of respondents held a positive view of Israel, currently, only 36% maintain a positive opinion, while 38% express a negative opinion.
- In contrast, Israeli preferences regarding closer ties with Germany are more pronounced, with over two-thirds (68%) of those surveyed expressing a desire for closer ties, compared to 24% in Germany, as reflected in the foundation's recent survey.
