Jewish Communities in Germany Face Rising Hostility
Recent research revealed distressing details about the state of Jewish communities in Germany. The Central Council of Jews, an influential organization, conducted a survey among leaders from 98 out of 105 Jewish communities in the country. Shockingly, the findings revealed that a third of these communities have experienced "anti-Semitic attacks" since Hamas' assault on Israel, which occurred on October 7. These attacks encompass a range of incidents, including graffiti and hurtful verbal assaults.
In addition, the survey revealed excess psychological pressure on the Jewish communities, stemming from threatening phone calls and emails. This has resulted in an overwhelming 80% of the community leaders expressing concerns about their safety and the visibility of their Jewish identity in Germany. The current situation has pushed many communities to their breaking point.
"These are unsettling reports," summarized Central Council President Josef Schuster during the report's presentation. The most affected groups include elderly Jewish citizens, families with children, and young people.
In an unusual twist, the survey showed that Jewish communities in Germany maintain strong trust towards security authorities, despite the deteriorating situation. Schuster acknowledged that this trust was striking, given the complex and problematic developments that have unfolded since October 7.
However, Schuster emphasized the grave consequences of this trust, warning society to remain vigilant and prevent extremist groups from posing threats to the Jewish community. Anti-Semitism, whether it stems from radical right, radical left, or Islamist ideologies, undermines Germany's open society and constitutional state, according to Schuster.
In a separate interview, Schuster sounded the alarm on the rising trend of anti-Semitism on the radical left. Schuster remarked that since October 7, there has been a noticeable upsurge in anti-Semitic statements and actions from the left, even extending to academia.
Schuster also reiterated concerns about the presence of far-right extremist groups, acknowledging that while they may have taken a backseat in the limelight, they still pose a threat. Particularly in Berlin and cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Jewish individuals have reported feeling less safe and being targeted due to their religious affiliations.
[References: Stern]
(Enrichment Data: The survey reported in the aforementioned article was conducted by the German Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS). The survey results indicated a dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents in Berlin, with the first half of 2024 seeing 1,383 incidents, which exceeded the total of 1,270 incidents in 2023. The nature of incidents included verbal attacks, acts of violence, and property damage. Furthermore, the rising antisemitism has led to significant psychological pressure on the Jewish community, resulting in individuals hiding their identity and the Jewish community implementing new security measures.)
