Surge in Attacks on Jewish and Muslim Communities in Germany Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict
Recent reports show a significant increase in attacks targeting Jews and Muslims in Germany following the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Escalation of Antisemitic Incidents
Antisemitic incidents surged by over 80% compared to the previous year, totaling 4,782 recorded incidents, averaging at 13 per day. This spike was particularly notable after the Hamas attacks on 7th October, with 2,787 incidents documented in the subsequent three months – surpassing the total number for the entire previous year.
While many of the incidents were associated with anti-Israel activism, the recent report highlighted that Jews faced a rise in antisemitism within their daily lives, including at workplaces, educational institutions, and on social media platforms.
Escalation of Violence and Threats
The period also witnessed a surge in violent attacks, with around two-thirds of extreme violence, assaults, and threats occurring after the 7th of October. Examples of these violent incidents include Molotov cocktails aimed at a Jewish community center in Berlin and threats of extermination targeting Jewish institutions.
Benjamin Steinitz, the managing director of the Bundesverband RIAS, emphasized the urgent need for action, stating that Jews are facing harassment and threats across various aspects of their lives. He called for collective responsibility in combating the normalization of antisemitism.
Rise in Attacks on Muslims
Not only did attacks on Jews escalate, but a separate report revealed a significant increase in attacks on Muslim communities following the same period in October.
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