DW Analysis/ The number of anti-Semitic incidents is increasing significantly

2025-06-04 20:05:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The number of antisemitic incidents in Germany has increased significantly in 2024. The Federal Association of Research and Information Centers on Antisemitism (RIAS) documented 8,627 incidents last year, an increase of almost 77% compared to the previous year.

Statistically, this means that 24 anti-Semitic incidents occurred almost every day, compared to 13 incidents per day in 2023. "For Jews, anti-Semitism remains an everyday phenomenon in Germany," the report said.

Politicized anti-Semitism on the rise
The apparent increase compared to last year is particularly noticeable in highly politicized contexts. In 2024, anti-Semitism was particularly frequently manifested in demonstrations, through anti-Semitic posters in public spaces and at universities.

The majority of documented incidents with a clear political and ideological context occurred due to anti-Israeli activities. In total, we categorized 5,857 such cases.

Right-wing anti-Semitism reaches highest level
Anti-Semitic incidents with a right-wing extremist background also reached their highest level since the start of national comparisons in 2020, with 544 documented cases.

The increase in violent attacks is worrying: RIAS recorded eight cases of extreme violence, 186 attacks and 300 threats.

Increase since Hamas attack
Since the Islamist militant group Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the research center has recorded a steady increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany. According to the report, the "deep divide" marked by the Hamas attack and subsequent events is "increasingly palpable."

In this context, the Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Semitism, Felix Klein, strongly warned against making collective accusations against Jews. The war serves as an excuse for many people to act in an anti-Semitic manner, Klein declared on the ARD program "Morgenmagazin" (Morning Magazine).

The Jewish community in Germany is collectively responsible for this. This has negative consequences for its quality of life. Klein called for this to be combated with all available political and social means./ DW