Unchecked Antisemitism Surges in Germany, Israeli Foreign Minister Speaks Out
Growing Anti-Semitism in Germany Draws Scathing Criticism from Israel's Foreign Minister - Rising antisemitism in Germany draws criticism from Israel's foreign minister.
An unsettling hourly average of antisemitic incidents unfolds in Germany, Saar revealed. "Antisemitism is beastly, rampant - globally, and especially in Europe," he bluntly criticized. He zeroed in on the pro-Palestine movement in Germany, labelling it as antisemitic.
Saar didn't hold back, declaring, "I can hear the new antisemites in Germany. They dream of ceding the Jewish state to radical jihadist aggressors surrounding us." Saar's country, he argued, was duty-bound to safeguard itself, given enemies determined to mirror Hitler's goals.
Today, Jewish communities in Europe, even in Germany, live in unnerving apprehension, Saar stressed. "They fear wearing a kippah, they dread for their safety. Students keep away from campus," he warned, emphatically stating that this should never be normalized.
Germany's Foreign Minister Wadephul echoed his shame over the exponential rise in antisemitic incidents in Germany. During a joint visit to the Holocaust Memorial with the Israeli minister, he expressed, "The alarming reports that Jews and Jewish women no longer feel safe in Germany, that they counsel their children not to speak Hebrew in public - this deeply shames me."
Wadephul reiterated Germany's steadfast backing for Israel. "Defending Jewish life in Germany and championing Israel's safety and future peace are our unwavering pledges," he assured.
Both ministers referred to the yearly report on antisemitic incidents in Germany by the Federal Association of Research and Information Centers on Antisemitism (Rias), released on Wednesday. The report disclosed a historic high of these incidents in 2024, with a staggering 77% surge compared to the previous year.
Post their visit to the Holocaust Memorial, Wadephul and Saar headed over to the Foreign Office for an afternoon press conference.
Wadephul had vowed additional arms deliveries to Israel to counter the Houthi militia in Yemen. Previously, he triggered a stir by making German arms deliveries to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip contingent on a legal review.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has recently hardened his stance towards Israel. Israel faces mounting international pressure due to its stringent measures in the Gaza Strip and the calamitous humanitarian crisis in Palestinian territories.
While the ministers' direct quotes on the trends and causes of antisemitism in Germany are not readily available, research indicates:
- Surging Antisemitic Incidents: In 2024, Germany witnessed a significant increase in antisemitic incidents, totaling 8,627 cases - a 77% surge from the previous year[3][5]. The escalation appears linked to the conflict in Gaza and "Israel-related antisemitism," which accounted for 68% of incidents[3].
- Deteriorating German Public Opinion Towards Israel: A decline in Germans' opinion of Israel has been observed, with some linking Israeli politics to a reduction in likability of Jews[4]. This trend possibly fuels a broader societal climate conducive to antisemitic attitudes.
- Rising Concerns: The increase in antisemitic incidents has sparked concerns about the well-being and security of Jewish communities in Germany, encompassing repeated targeting of Jewish institutions and an escalation of online hate[2][3].
These factors might underlie the ministers' discourse on antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of escalated international cooperation to effectively combat this widening issue. However, specific quotes or statements directly addressing these factors within the current search results were unavailable.
- Parties in Berlin, including Gideon Saar and Johann Wadephul, have spoken out against the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, especially in Germany, linking it to war-and-conflicts in the Middle East and concerns in general-news, such as the conflict in Gaza and Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
- Amidst the surge in antisemitic incidents in Europe, politicians like Gideon Saar and Johann Wadephul, in the framework of crime-and-justice, have endeavored to address the issue at its root, considering factors like deteriorating public opinion towards Israel and rising online hate as key indicators warranting international cooperation in politics.
