Germany recorded 8,627 antisemitic incidents in 2024, a 77% spike compared to the previous year, according to a report published by RIAS, a watchdog organization that monitors and documents antisemitism across the country. "We have never witnessed such a high number of antisemitic attacks against Jews in a single calendar year," said Benjamin Steinitz, RIAS's executive director.
According to the report, antisemitic attacks came from all parts of society — from the radical left, Muslim communities and the far right. The incidents ranged from threats and verbal abuse in public spaces to physical assaults on Jewish students, and the marking of Jewish homes with swastikas, Stars of David or red triangles — the latter being a symbol used by Hamas to denote a target.
Pro-Palestinian protest in Berlin
(Video: Reuters)
The report documented eight cases of severe assault, 186 physical attacks, 443 incidents of intentional property damage, and 300 threats. Far-right perpetrators were behind 544 of the documented incidents — the highest figure from that sector since 2020.
A striking 5,857 of the incidents were classified as “Israel-related antisemitism,” more than double the number recorded in 2023. These included accusing German Jews of being responsible for Israeli government policy or questioning Israel’s right to exist. The report clarified that it did not count criticism of Israel or its government unless it crossed into antisemitic rhetoric.
University campuses saw 450 incidents, while 284 took place in schools. “The danger of being attacked just for being Jewish in Germany has increased dramatically since October 7,” said Steinitz.
An alternative report prepared by Israeli journalist Itay Mashiach for the "Bridging Diaspora" organization questioned the accuracy of the RIAS numbers, arguing that the organization places too much emphasis on Israel-related antisemitism. However, Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Combating Antisemitism, Felix Klein, defended the RIAS findings, saying he had “full confidence” in their work.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
“If the war in Gaza ends at some point, tensions in Germany and on university campuses will likely ease,” said Ron Dekel, president of the Union of Jewish Students in Germany. “But antisemitism linked to Israel is currently the main issue for Jewish students — and from my perspective, unfortunately, it’s likely to stay that way.”
German public figures expressed shock at the numbers and concern over the public’s muted response to the unprecedented number of protests and rallies, where speakers downplayed the Holocaust and praised terror attacks against Jews and Israelis, or supported terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
“For many people, the war has become a justification for antisemitic behavior,” said Klein. “Jews are being held accountable for the actions of Israel, and that has a very real impact on their quality of life.”