A watchdog group, RIAS, reports over 8,000 anti-Semitic incidents in 2024, a 77% increase from 2023.
RIAS reports a surge of approximately 77% in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany during 2024 compared to the previous year. The organization attributes this rise to “collective blame” related to Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza.
The report, released on Wednesday, documents 8,627 anti-Semitic incidents in Germany last year, a significant increase from the 4,886 incidents recorded in 2023.
RIAS stated that “The scope and nature of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany during 2024 closely mirrored the situation in the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel,” adding that the conflict in Gaza “provided a justification for many to express anti-Semitic views.”
According to the report, “For Jewish individuals in Germany, anti-Semitism remains a constant and defining aspect of daily life.”
RIAS highlighted a notable increase in anti-Israel activism, recording 5,857 instances of anti-Semitism connected to protests, posters, stickers, and activities in schools and universities. Cases directly targeting Jews and Israelis have nearly tripled in two years, from 331 in 2022 to 966 in the past year. The number of cases linked to right-wing extremism reached a record high of 544 since tracking began in 2020.
RIAS documented eight cases of severe physical violence, 186 assaults, and 300 threats. Reported incidents also included acts of vandalism against Holocaust memorials and the appearance of anti-Semitic graffiti.
German federal police also track anti-Semitic crimes, but only those meeting specific legal thresholds. The agency reported a 20.7% increase in crimes targeting Jews in 2024 compared to the previous year, totaling 6,236 incidents.
Josef Schuster, the president of the Central Council of Jews, stated that the RIAS report “demonstrates a daily reality for many Jews that is increasingly defined by hostility and hatred.” He urged increased training for law enforcement and judicial personnel to improve the identification and prevention of such incidents.
German Anti-Semitism Commissioner Felix Klein, who has previously connected the increase in anti-Semitic incidents to the country’s growing Muslim population, stated that the Gaza war has become “an excuse” for anti-Semitic actions.
“It is disheartening to hear each year about the sharp increase in anti-Semitic incidents,” Klein said. “The rise in 2024 was particularly alarming – hatred against Jews in Germany has become normalized to a shameful extent.” He advocated for a stronger and more targeted approach to combat this trend.
Germany is estimated to have a Jewish population of 125,000.