A record number of 8,627 antisemitic incidents were recorded in Germany in 2024, a whopping 77% increase compared to 2023, according to RIAS, a watchdog organization that monitors antisemitism in Germany. The number included 186 physical attacks and 8 severe assault incidents.
Benjamin Steinitz, executive director of RIAS, expressed deep concerns about the dramatic rise of antisemitic incidents in the country.
"We have never witnessed such a high number of antisemitic attacks against Jews in a single calendar year," Steinitz stated.
“The danger of being attacked just for being Jewish in Germany has increased dramatically since October 7,” he warned.
The report noted that 544 antisemitic cases were linked to far-right individuals, the highest number of such incidents since 2020. However, 5,857 antisemitic incidents, or 67% of all recorded anti-Jewish cases, were defined as “Israel-related antisemitism.” This reportedly represents a 100% increase in Israel-linked Jew-hatred compared to the previous year. Far-left extremists and Muslim radicals have played a disproportionate role in the rise of Israel-linked Jew-hatred in Germany and across the Western world.
The report emphasized that it did not define criticism of the Israeli government’s policies as antisemitic unless it crossed the line into anti-Jewish rhetoric. Examples of Israel-linked antisemitism included demonization of the Jewish state and denying Israel’s right to exist. It also included accusations that German Jews are to blame for the policies of the Israeli government.
Israeli journalist Itay Maschiah criticized the report, claiming that it focuses too much on Israel. However, Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Combating Antisemitism, Felix Klein, said he had “full confidence” in the RIAS report.
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