The protection of the constitution has recorded a significant increase in anti-Semitism in Germany in recent years. "We have to state that right-wing extremist anti-Semitic crimes increased by 71 percent in 2018 and another 17 percent in the past year. In the everyday life of our Jewish citizens, this means: They are often exposed to insults, threats and attacks," said the President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung . According to preliminary information from the security authorities, there were at least 287 anti-Jewish crimes in the first quarter of 2020 alone. Overall, anti-Semitic crimes reached their highest level since 2001 in 2019.
On Monday, the protection of the constitution wants to publish a more than 100-page report on anti-Semitism. The President of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution referred to the New Rights as the cause. In this context, anti-Semitism is often more subtle and profound. "It is more likely to work with hints. We now see that often in the corona demonstrations, for example when there is talk of a world conspiracy that is allegedly controlled by" interests in the American east coast, "said Haldenwang. Old anti-Semitic conspiracy narratives are "hidden behind codes. That doesn't make them any less dangerous".
Haldenwang calls for civil society to act more strongly
The President of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution demanded that civil society should take a stronger stand against anti-Semitism in everyday life. "If someone in the school says 'You Jude' as a swear word, then classmates or teachers are asked to step in vigorously and make it clear: I do not tolerate such statements in my environment," said Haldewang. The same would also apply in other areas such as football stadiums.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) recently condemned anti-Semitic incidents. Anti-Semitic attacks such as the attack on the synagogue in Halle on October 9, 2019 "target the heart of our democracy," she said in a greeting at a virtual conference of the American Jewish Committee.
In the attack last year, the alleged perpetrator, Stefan B., tried to break into the synagogue on Yom Kippur, the highest Jewish holiday, and to cause a massacre among the gathered people. When this did not succeed, he shot a woman on the street and a man in a kebab shop. There is currently a trial against B. at the Magdeburg Regional Court.
