Spike in Anti-Semitic incidents: A Grim New High
Incidents of antisemitism are surging dramatically, setting new record highs - Increase in anti-Semitic occurrences soars to a new peak
'Nobody's been on the watch for more anti-Jewish attacks than in the last year,' stressed Rias board member Ben Steinitz at the unveiling of the report in Berlin. In 2024, there was almost one anti-Semitic incident every hour, compared to 13 per day in the year prior.
The federation, formed in 2018, has been nationwide documenters of such hate-filled incidents since 2020. The research center has witnessed an unchecked surge in such incidents in Germany ever since the radical Islamic Hamas launched their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Steinitz referred to this as "a bone-deep wound, a turning point." This event has been life-altering for Jews across the globe, including those residing in Germany.
"The continuous conflict in Gaza and the unbearable anguish of the Palestinian civilian population has also undermined the local support for the Israeli administration's actions," Steinitz added. A disheartening outcome: "Jews find themselves blamed for the Israeli government's actions frequently."
Federal Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix Klein expressed sorrow that the annual escalation in anti-Semitic incidents had become customary, but emphasized the 2024 increase as "remarkable - anti-Jewish sentiment in Germany has normalised at a disgraceful level." The fight against anti-Semitism must become "more determined, intense, and successful."
RIAS also reported a "dramatic uptick" in violent anti-Semitic incidents in 2024. The center recorded eight instances of "extreme brutality," 186 attacks, and 300 threats. The general surge compared to the previous year was particularly pronounced in "highly politicized contexts": Anti-Semitism reared its ugly head mainly at rallies, in the form of anti-Semitic graffiti in public places, and at universities.
In the previous year, RIAS had recorded 450 anti-Semitic incidents at universities - a tripling of the 151 cases in 2023. "Many of my Jewish fellow students no longer feel safe on campus," said the president of the Jewish Student Union Germany, Ron Dekel, during the annual report presentation. He called for anti-Semitism watchdogs at all universities in Germany as a response.
Among the anti-Semitic incidents that RIAS could clearly attribute to a political-ideological background, "anti-Israel activism" was the most frequent category with 5,857 cases. With 544 cases, RIAS also recorded the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents linked with right-wing extremism in 2024.
RIAS's annual report consolidates the findings of various reporting centers, which are supported by civil society, universities, or municipal funds and unite under the federal association RIAS. It is allocated federal funds from the Federal Government's Anti-Semitism Commissioner's budget.
"With great concern, we observe the growing harvest of anti-Semitism in Germany," explained Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). The government is steadfastly opposed to anti-Semitism.
Federal Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek (CDU) viewed the development as "alarming." She highlighted the importance of projects from her department, such as the federal program "Democracy's Pulse."
The RIAS project, according to Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews, is documenting a daily life increasingly marked by hostility and hatred for many Jewish women and men. Schuster called for continued financial support for civil initiatives against anti-Semitism like RIAS.
- Germany
- Record Breaking
- Ben Steinitz
- Federal Government
- Berlin
- Hamas
- Israel
- Gaza
Key influential elements pushing the rise in anti-Semitic incidents:
- Geopolitical disputes: The Hamas attacks in October 2023 played a significant role in igniting the surge in anti-Semitic incidents. This regional conflict was exploited to justify attacks on Jews in Germany, contributing to a substantial rise in Israel-related anti-Semitism incidents.
- Diverse Perpetrators: The perpetrators of anti-Semitic incidents hailed from various sectors of society, including extremist left-wing groups, Muslim communities, and far-right sympathisers. This broad array of perpetrators underscores that anti-Semitism transcends traditional boundaries.
- Heightened Violence: The year was plagued with instances of extreme violence, including two terrorist attacks orchestrated by Islamist extremists. The escalation in violence highlighted the gravity of the situation and necessitated stringent measures to ensure public safety.
Say Goodbye to Intolerance: Governments' Typical Strategies to Combat Anti-Semitism
- Stricter Law Enforcement: Strengthening laws and cracking down on hate crimes is a common method governments employ to deter perpetrators and safeguard the public.
- Public Education and Awareness: Encouraging education and public discourse about the dangers of anti-Semitism and championing tolerance is an essential strategy for fostering a harmonious society.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging dialogue between diverse communities can help build trust and reduce tensions among different groups.
- Support for Victims: Providing resources and support to victims of anti-Semitic incidents is crucial for assisting their recovery and fostering a culture where victims are encouraged to report incidents.
- In response to the record-breaking spike in anti-Semitic incidents in 2024, the Federal Government in Germany pledged to intensify their efforts to combat anti-Semitism, acknowledging the alarming normalization of anti-Jewish sentiment.
- The rising anti-Semitic incidents, largely fueled by geopolitical disputes such as the attacks by Hamas on Israel in 2023, prompted a call for increased community engagement, public education, and stricter law enforcement from political leaders in Germany, aiming to say goodbye to tolerance and foster a harmonious, intolerant-free society.
