In recent months, authorities have reported an increase in hate crime against Jews. A study now shows how widespread anti-Semitic ideas are in Germany. Every fourth German has antisemitic thoughts, according to the representative survey of the Jewish World Congress, which the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" ("SZ") reported on. The survey with 1300 participants took place two and a half months ago, before the attack on the synagogue in Halle.
According to 41 percent of the respondents even believe that Jews talked too much about the mass murder of the Nazi regime on European Jews. Also, 28 percent of survey respondents who claim to be elites claim that Jews have too much power in the economy, while 26 percent claim that Jews have "too much power in world politics." To the elite the study authors count university graduates with an annual income of at least 100,000 euros.
According to "SZ", the survey revealed that nearly half (48 percent) say Jews behaved more loyally to Israel than to Germany. Twelve percent of respondents said that Jews are responsible for most of the wars in the world. 22 percent say Jews are hated because of their behavior.
Majority perceives growing anti-Semitism
Growing anti-Semitism, according to the study, is perceived by an overwhelming majority of the population and has been linked to the success of right-wing extremist parties. 65 percent of Germans and 76 percent of the so-called elite see a connection.
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is an association representing Jewish communities and organizations in 100 countries. The President Ronald S. Lauder told the "SZ", anti-Semitism has reached a crisis point in Germany. "It is time for all German society to take a stand and fight anti-Semitism head-on."
In Halle, on 9th October a German heavily armed tried to invade a synagogue. When his plan failed, he shot a 40-year-old woman on the street and a 20-year-old in a doner kebab shortly thereafter. The 27-year-old is in custody and admits a right-wing extremist, anti-Semitic motive.
The act has triggered another debate in Germany about hatred. Recently, authorities recorded a significant increase in offenses against Jews. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), the total number of recorded crimes increased from around 1,500 in 2017 to around 1,800 last year - the second highest level since the start of the comparable survey in 2001. (Read more here)
