Skyrocketing Anti-Semitic Incidents in Germany: 2023 to 2024
Rising Tide of Hate Crimes
Increased anti-Semitic occurrences by approximately 77% reported - Increase in anti-Semitic occurrences by approximately 77%
Germany has witnessed a staggering escalation in anti-Semitic incidents, with the Federal Association of Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS) documenting a whopping 8,627 cases in 2024—a near 77% increase compared to 2023 (when 4,886 incidents were reported) [1][4][5]. This translates to approximately 24 acts of anti-Semitism every single day, or roughly one incident each hour [1][5].
Reasons Behind the Surge
Several factors have contributed to this rise:
- The October 7, 2023 Hamas Terrorist Attacks: The attacks instigated numerous incidents where Jews were held accountable for Israel's actions in Gaza, serving as a major catalyst for the increase in anti-Semitic incidents [2][5].
- Rise of Right-Wing Extremism: The expanding presence of right-wing extremism in Germany also played a part in the escalation of anti-Semitic incidents. More individuals are reporting these incidents, further contributing to the higher numbers [2].
- Heightened Reporting: There is an increased awareness and willingness to report anti-Semitic incidents, which also contributes to the increased numbers [2].
Prevalence of Violent Incidents
Of the 8,627 incidents in 2024, eight were classified as involving "extreme violence," including two Islamist terrorist attacks. One attack occurred in Solingen in August, where an ISIS supporter killed three people and injured eight others, blaming Palestinians for the violence [1][4][5]. Another attack happened in September, when a suspected Islamist targeted the Israeli Consulate in Munich [1][4][5].
Responses and Reactions
The RIAS report calls for more robust proactive measures across civil society, universities, and government agencies to counteract anti-Semitism [3]. It underscores the fact that anti-Semitism constitutes a threat not only to Jewish communities but to democratic values as a whole [3].
Encompassing Global Trends
The surge in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany is part of a broader pattern observed across Europe and worldwide. Reports from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) indicate a significant increase in anti-Semitic incidents globally [3]. This emphasizes the significance of addressing anti-Semitism as a societal issue instead of focusing on isolated communities.
A Closer Look: The Case of Lahav Shapira
Lahav Shapira, a Jew living in Berlin, was brutally attacked by a former classmate, leaving him with a complex midface fracture and a brain hemorrhage. The court found the attacker guilty of acting out of anti-Semitic motives [1][2]. These alarming incidents serve as a gut-wrenching reminder of the pervasive nature of anti-Semitism in Germany.* RIAS* Reporting Center* Germany* Annual Report* Property Damage* Threat
[1] Agence France-Presse. (2025, February 11). Anti-Semitic crimes in Germany reach record high in 2024. Spiegel Online. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/antisemitische-verbrechen-in-deutschland-stigen-in-2024-an-a-c1854cb8-28ab-4c67-a3a7-3eac37c6dfdb.html
[2] CBS News. (2025, February 12). Anti-Semitic incidents in Germany surge in 2024. CBS News. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anti-semitic-incidents-in-germany-surge-in-2024/
[3] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, February 13). Anti-Semitic incidents rise dramatically in Germany, RIAS annual report shows. The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://www.jpost.com/international/anti-semitic-incidents-rise-dramatically-in-germany-rias-annual-report-shows-679825
[4] The Times of Israel. (2025, February 14). Anti-Semitic incidents in Germany jump nearly 80% in 2024, comprising one incident every hour. The Times of Israel. Retrieved February 14, 2025, from https://www.timesofisrael.com/anti-semitic-incidents-in-germany-jump-nearly-80-in-2024-comprising-one-incident-every-hour/
[5] The Guardian. (2025, February 15). Germany experiences sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents in 2024, reports show. The Guardian. Retrieved February 15, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/15/germany-experiences-sharp-rise-in-anti-semitic-incidents-in-2024-reports-show
Community policy should be enacted to combat this surge in anti-Semitic incidents, with more investment in provisions for vocational training designed to equip individuals with skills to foster unity and counteract prejudice in the community. It's also crucial for the media, under the umbrella of general-news outlets, to address zero-tolerance policies for politics and crime-and-justice-related topics that incite hate speech, contributing to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents.
