In the first quarter of 2024, Germany saw a steep rise in the number of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic crimes.

In Germany, the number of anti-Semitic crimes increased by around 37 per cent compared to the same period last year, while the number of Islamophobic crimes rose by around 10 per cent. In terms of exact figures, the security authorities recorded 765 anti-Semitic and 137 Islamophobic crimes in the first three months of this year, and 558 anti-Semitic and 124 Islamophobic crimes in the first three months of 2023, as disclosed by the federal government in its answer to a question from Christian Democratic Union (CDU) MP Christoph de Vries.

Auch der Umstand, dass die Zahl antisemitische Delikte 3,5 Mal so hoch ist wie die Zahl islamfeindlicher Straftaten, zeigt, Juden nicht überall und jederzeit sicher sind in unserem Land. 2/4

— Christoph de Vries (@VriesChristoph) April 15, 2024

Compared to 2022, the numbers have roughly doubled in both areas. The police registered 5,154 anti-Semitic crimes last year, while this figure was 2,641 in 2022. The number of Islamophobic crimes increased from 610 to 1,464. However, only preliminary data are currently available for 2024 and 2023, and figures may change due to delayed reporting or new findings.

In view of growing anti-Semitism, CDU politician de Vries called for concrete, firm action, rather than the constant repetition of empty phrases without any legal consequences. At some demonstrations, for example, slogans incited genocide.

Schokkend! Antisemitische leuzen die aanzetten tot genocide weer te horen bij protest voor de Tweede Kamer. Dit is onacceptabel! Oproepen tot geweld tegen het Joodse volk moeten keihard worden aangepakt en bestraft! #Antisemitisme #PVV pic.twitter.com/ZdjYAjGGUT

— Maikel Boon – PVV (@Maikel_PVV) April 9, 2024

The goal of his parliamentary group is to design a cross-party package of measures together with the parliamentary groups of the governing parties. The members of the Christian Democrats and the Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) proposed last week, among other things, that the so-called advertising of sympathy for criminal organisations and terrorist organisations be reclassified as a crime.

German Federal Government Commissioner for the Fight Againts Anti-Semitism Felix Klein also sounded the alarm, warning of a continued rise in anti-Semitic crimes in the wake of Iran’s attack on Israel.

„Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October led to an unprecedented surge in anti-Semitic crime in Europe, and this can be expected to continue after Iran’s recent attack,”

Klein told the German press.

Guner Balci, commissioner for integration in Berlin’s Neukolln district, also pointed to a clear link between the war in the Middle East and rising anti-Semitism. In her district, a large part of the population sympathises with Hamas and sees it as a kind of liberation organisation, Balci said in an interview. Although this was already the case before the 7 October terrorist attack, it has become even more evident since then. At the same time, the Coordination Council of Muslims in Germany complained in November about the Muslims’ exposure to verbal or physical attacks due to the war in the Middle East. There have been dozens of attacks and children and young people are being stigmatised in schools.

Güner Balcı – Wie d Integrationsbeauftragte aus Berlin-Neukölln den Judenhass unter Einwanderern erlebt https://t.co/4Fa2xhV1rz

— Katharina Lange (@katmonlan) April 16, 2024