In a concerning development, antisemitic incidents in Germany skyrocketed by nearly 83% in 2023, with more than half occurring after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, according to a new report from the Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS).
The organization documented 4,782 antisemitic incidents throughout the year, averaging 13 cases per day – a sharp increase from seven daily cases in 2022. The period following October 7 saw an even more dramatic surge, with an average of 32 incidents reported daily. "For many Jews, October 7, 2023, initiated a new era, dividing their lives into a before and an after stage," the RIAS report stated.
The report highlights a disturbing trend of increased violence in antisemitic acts. Of the 121 assaults recorded in 2023, 76 occurred after October 7. Similarly, five out of seven cases of extreme violence and 117 out of 183 threats took place in the same period.
The RIAS report stated, "The negative experiences that Jews living in Germany have had for many years have intensified enormously, becoming an omnipresent, daily burden." The incidents spanned various settings, including educational institutions, workplaces, and residential areas. RIAS recorded 301 antisemitic incidents in schools, universities, and cultural institutions after October 7, compared to 170 in the months prior.
In one particularly troubling case, a Jewish refugee from Ukraine faced months of antisemitic harassment from roommates in Freiburg. One man reportedly told him that there were "too many of you Jews" and that he should be grateful nothing had been done to him yet.
The report also noted a significant increase in antisemitic gatherings, with 415 such events documented after October 7. These gatherings often featured slogans delegitimizing Israel and equating Israeli policies with those of Nazi Germany. RIAS attributed 71% of the incidents after October 7 to Israel-related antisemitism, often involving the equating of Jews in Germany with the state of Israel. The organization warned that this surge has led many Jews to withdraw from public life and enter certain spaces with fear or constant concern.
In response to the findings, German authorities have pledged to enhance protection for Jewish communities and combat antisemitism more aggressively. However, Jewish leaders continue to express concern about the long-term impact on their communities.
