New report shows five antisemitic incidents a day reported in Germany

Germany’s Federal authorities have disclosed that 1,555 antisemitic incidents – including 55 classified as “violent” –  were reported in 2022, according to data gathered by the Federal Criminal Police.

While the figure, revealing an average of five antisemitic incidents each day during 2022, is significantly lower than the total of 3,028 antisemitic incidents recorded in 2021, the 2021 numbers were a third higher than 2020 and inflated by more than 1,000 incidents occurring during the conflict between Israel and the genocidal antisemitic terrorist group Hamas.

Following the publication of last year’s statistics, the Head of Germany’s domestic intelligence service (BfV), Thomas Haldenwang, warned that the reported incidents were only the “tip of the iceberg.”

The 2022 data reveals the 1,500 antisemitic incidents not classified as “violent” included incitement to hatred and displaying the symbols of proscribed far-right and neo-Nazi organisations. Some 936 suspects have been identified, but no arrest warrants have been issued.

The Federal Criminal Police Office pointed out that the figures released on Wednesday were “provisional.” According to a major German news outlet, the numbers for the first quarter of this year have already been revised upwards, from an original figure of 459 antisemitic crimes recorded to a new total of 683.

Petra Pau, the Vice-President of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, expressed frustration with the data-gathering process, saying: “In view of the general increase in antisemitism, I would wish for the correct recording to be carried out more quickly.”

Ms Pau said that “only then” could politicians and the authorities “recognise threatening developments in a timely manner.”

A statement from the Central Council of German Jews said that it was disturbed by the data with council President, Josef Schuster, noting that “in times of crisis, Jews often have to serve as scapegoats.”

Mr Schuster also referenced controversies involving antisemitism in the German art world, observing that there had been “a paradigm shift” that had led to antisemitic tropes being seen more often. He said that “classic antisemitic images” as well as anti-Zionist imagery helped to “legitimise antisemitic violence” in Germany.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism in Germany, which have increased considerably.