Recent Research Shows Decreased Anti-Semitic Prejudices in Germany, Yet Concerns Remain
Positive shifts in attitudes towards Jews have been documented in Germany over the past two decades. The Forsa Institute, commissioned by Stern magazine, found that the proportion of individuals harboring "latent anti-Semitism" has dropped significantly from 23% in 2003 to a current 7%. However, supporters of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party exhibit twice the prevalence of negative attitudes towards Jews compared to the general population.
In November 2018, Stern magazine repeated a long-standing survey originally conducted in 1998 and 2003. This time, around 1,000 German-speaking citizens aged 14 and up from both East and West Germany participated in the study. Despite the decrease in prejudices, 53% of respondents believed that the overall mood towards Jews in the country had become more negative.
Alarming figures among AfD supporters
AfD supporters stand out from the mainstream populace with their beliefs towards Jews. Over half (50%) of AfD supporters agreed with the claim that Jews benefit from the Nazi past, a stark increase from the 24% of the overall population who agreed. Additionally, 26% of AfD supporters agreed that Jews hold too much influence in the world, contrasting with the 14% of the general population who share that sentiment.
Questionable survey findings
The president of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, expressed doubts about the validity of the survey results. He suggested that a "distortion effect of the results for reasons of social desirability" might be influencing the respondents, as people tend to respond to surveys in a socially acceptable manner. The increasing prevalence of reported antisemitic incidents, particularly following the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, further supports Schuster's concerns.
Modern shifts in attitudes towards Jews
In all eight surveyed categories, agreement with negative prejudices declined in the newest survey. For instance, the statement "Many Jews are trying to take advantage of the Nazi past today and make the Germans pay for it" was still agreed with by 24% of the population in 2023, but this figure represented a significant drop from the 38% who agreed in 2003.
The phrase "Due to their behavior, Jews are not entirely innocent of their persecution" is now affirmed by 9% of the population, down from 19% in 2003. Negative sentiments towards Jews as a whole have continued to decrease since 2003, although some remain persistent among certain groups.
Relevant Insight
Research from Sigmount Königsberg, the Antisemitism Commissioner in Berlin, describes a concerning rise in reported antisemitic incidents in Germany, particularly among extremist groups like the AfD. Extremist parties and social media platforms are often instrumental in spreading conspiracy theories and antisemitic narratives that fuel concerns about the overall well-being of many Jewish individuals in Germany.
Read also
- Adherents of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party demonstrate critical attitudes towards Jews at twice the rate of the overall population, with Figure X% agreeing that Jews benefit financially from the Nazi past compared to Figure Y% of the general population.
- The proportion of individuals in Germany with "latent anti-Semitism" has significantly decreased according to the Forsa Institute, falling from 23% in 2003 to a current 7%.
- Attitudes towards Jews in Germany remain a contentious issue, with 53% of respondents expressing concern that the overall climate towards Jews in the country has deteriorated.
- The president of the Central Council of Jews, Josef Schuster, shares valid concerns that people may be underreporting antisemitic attitudes in surveys due to a "distortion effect of the results for reasons of social desirability."
- The sentiment that Jews benefit from the Nazi past ended up being agreed with by 24% of the population in 2023, a noteworthy decrease from the 38% who agreed in 2003.
- Sigmount Königsberg, the Antisemitism Commissioner in Berlin, has observed a disturbing surge in reported antisemitic incidents in Germany, primarily among extremist parties like the AfD.
