Anti-Semitism expressed by a quarter of the German population

In a multiyear study of anti-Semitism in the German population, Dr. Adreas Zick discovered that the majority of anti-Semitic attitudes and expressions occur during ‘criticism’ of Israel, which is on the rise.

“20-25% of the German population expresses anti-Semitism when it comes to criticism of Israel,” says Dr. Andreas Zick of Bielefeld University.

Dr. Zick has been conducting surveys on xenophobia for years and the results of his latest survey are concerning.

“There is a rise in anti-Semitism, especially in the right-wing, populist movement,” said Dr. Zick to Ynet. “However, we are also seeing the differences between traditional anti-Semitism, which is quite low, and modern anti-Semitism, especially with regard to criticism of Israel, which is on a big rise.”

According to Dr. Zick, “Anti-Semitism is linked to other forms of hostility. We call this group-based hostility and it is related to immigration resistence. In Germany, anti-Semitism is also connected to anti-Islamic feelings. This explains why there are so many hate crimes in Germany. In Berlin for example, we recorded 500 attacks against Jews in 2016. This can be explained by Jews not being viewed as an integral part of society, but rather as foreigners.”

Based on your research, would you say Jews are in danger in Germany?

“Yes, tangible danger and it comes from very different sides. There is anti-Semitism in the general population, there is modern anti-Semitism that stems from criticism of Israel and there is a lot of Muslim anti-Semitism, especially from the extreme Muslim community.”

Dr. Zick presented his research before the Knesset as part of his participation in an international conference on the Holocaust at the Massuah Institute in Tel Yitzhak.

Dr. Zick stressed that anti-Semitism is not likely to go away and it is wrong to think that the European right has become pro-Israel because of its hatred for Muslims. “This does not limit anti-Semitism against Jews in the country, but rather presents a more complicated picture.”

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)