Anti -Semitism at universities is increasing

In October 2024, several hooded people penetrate the Presidium of the Free University of Berlin. They drugged employees out of their offices and try to fill the building. When the police arrived a little later, they take flight. Three women and one man are temporarily arrested. Back they leave anti -Semitic smears and lettering as well as red triangles. The red triangle is a symbol of Hamas to mark enemiesdepending on the context, it can also be an expression of a propalestinic attitude – and are considered an anti -Semitic incident.

Many Jewish students no longer feel safe at universities

The nationwide reporting office Rias documented 450 anti -Semitic incidents at German universities in 2024. The attempt to fill in Berlin is an extreme example of this. The number almost tripled compared to the previous year, in 2023 it was still 151. The total number also rose drastically last year, from 4886 incidents in 2023 to 8627 in 2024. An increase of almost 77 percent. Most incidents occurred in Berlin, followed by Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia.

« Many of my Jewish fellow students no longer feel safe at their universities, » said the President of the Jewish Student Union in Germany, Ron Dekel. Anti -Semitic smearings and violent attacks were their reality. And also the word « Intifada » – a call for violence on Jews – is no unknown term among students and is openly challenged on German campuses.

Much of the incidents at German universities fall back on the 147 anti -Semitic meetings, which also include so -called protest camps. According to Rias, a group of activists held a “sit-in” multi-day “sit-in” on the campus of a university in Jena in November 2024. Speakers had drawn Nazi comparisons with Israel there and reproduced anti-Semitic conspiracy counts. Most of the incidents at universities assign the anti-Israeli and left-anti-imperialist spectrum. At the same time, anti -Semitic incidents with a right -wing extremist background in 2024 also reached a new maximum value.

Increase in anti -Semitism « immediate reaction » to October 7, 2023

90 percent of the incidents at universities can be assigned to Israel -related anti -Semitism – according to Bianca Loy, the most common appearance of anti -Semitism. Loy is a scientific speaker of the Federal Association of Rias and co-author of the annual report for 2024. However, the increase in anti-Semitic incidents that are increased by Israel does not mean a decline in other forms. Rather, Israel -related anti -Semitism often occurs in connection with a relativization of the Holocaust: « In Berlin, for example, the Gaza Strip was equated with Auschwitz and in Leipzig the parole ‘One Holocaust does not Justify another’ was attached to a memorial for a destroyed synagogue. »

Riass Managing Director Benjamin Steinitz evaluated the massive increase in anti-Semitic incidents as a direct reaction to Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. And he added: « To name and reject anti -Semitism, to believe those affected by anti -Semitism and show them solidarity, does not contradict to criticize the situation of people in Gaza or the Israeli government for their approach. »