Germany Sees a Resurge in Anti-Semitism, with Public Expressions of Hatred Toward Jews

For 25 years, Levi Salomon has been recording anti-Semitic remarks and actions at Berlin demonstrations. Until October 7, however, he had never seen such extreme manifestations of hatred against Jews in post-World War II Germany.

That Sabbath day, 1,400 people—mostly civilians—were killed by Hamas terrorists who broke across the border into Israel and into homes, streets, and rave parties.

Israel declared war on Hamas in response to the worst assault since the country’s foundation, brutally shelling Gaza before deploying ground forces to crush the Islamist outfit. More than 10,000 people, largely civilians, have reportedly died in the region, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.

Almost eighty years after World War II, Salomon said that “October 7 marked a turning point” in the evolution of anti-Semitism in Germany. “Hardly any taboos remain today.”

In a Berlin neighborhood with a sizable Arab population, there have been public acts of hatred ranging from people giving sweets to each other in celebration of the Hamas attack to protesters chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”—a phrase that some have taken to mean an incitement to destroy Israel.

Germany has also been stunned by Islamist cries like “the caliphate is the solution,” which were most recently heard at a rally in the western city of Essen.

Salomon said, “I had not seen that before.”

“Dwelling in Fear”

In response to the European Commission’s statement on Sunday that “European Jews today are again living in fear,” anti-Semitism is resurfacing across the continent.

The tendency is especially concerning in Germany, which is still making amends for the extermination of almost six million Jews during the Holocaust.

Germany, which has emphasized that it supports Israel’s existence unconditionally, has made Holocaust denial illegal.

Federal police informed local media that there have been around 2,000 incidents documented so far that are connected to the Israel-Hamas war.

Following the assault by Hamas, German authorities increased security around Jewish organizations. However, it did not deter two guys from throwing Molotov cocktails at a Berlin synagogue.

Thomas Haldenwang, the head of domestic intelligence, recently issued a warning against the return of Germany’s “darkest hours.”

On social media, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck issued a passionate appeal to combat anti-Semitism, urging far-left political forces and some Muslim organizations to lead the fight.

The events of the last few days also provide more significance to this Thursday’s celebration of the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogrom organized by Adolf Hitler that took place over night on November 9–10.

Josef Schuster, the head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, together with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and head Frank-Walter Steinmeier are anticipated to preside over the event.

INSECURATION

In 1991, Salomon left Russia for Germany, citing state-sponsored anti-Semitism as his reason.

He started gathering anti-Semitic incidents in Berlin in 1997, and in 2008 he established an organization to record, examine, and disseminate his findings.

Excesses are often seen during demonstrations attracting radicals from the right and left as well as pro-Palestinians, he said.

However, Salomon said that since October 7, there have been very aggressive pro-Palestinian events.

Berlin saw protestors hurl stones and bottles against police, setting barricades on fire.

Salomon expressed his concern about the overwhelming number of young people and schoolchildren present at the demonstrations.

“Today, these children have become adults,” he said, recalling a sentence he heard some kids scream in 2004: “Knife in, knife out, knife red, the Jew is dead.”

He said that youngsters nowadays “continue to be indoctrinated.”

One Saturday, he showed up to a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central Berlin while sporting a bulletproof jacket and a helmet.

He said that while carrying out his duties, he has already experienced a few assaults and that sometimes, the talks he attempts to have with the demonstrators end badly.

Families made up the bulk of protestors during this mainly calm march.

According to Salomon, demonstrating against the humanitarian crisis the Palestinian people are experiencing in Gaza is entirely acceptable.

However, he said, “I had hoped to see a poster or a sign condemning Hamas.”

He claimed not to have seen one yet.