Anti -Semitism in Lower Saxony: maximum 650 incidents 2024!

Anti -Semitism in Lower Saxony: maximum 650 incidents 2024!

The alarming development of anti -Semitic incidents in Lower Saxony leaves no room for doubt: society faces a serious challenge. In 2024, an incredible 650 anti -Semitic incidents were documented, a doubling compared to the previous year with 349 cases. These figures have been the highest level since Rias Niedersachsen began in 2021, as the [Amadeu Antonio Foundation] reports. The aftermath of the Hamas massacre and the conflict in Israel and Gaza have a direct impact on society and promote a climate in which anti -Semitic statements and actions increase

The majority of the reported cases occurred in public spaces, on the Internet and especially in educational institutions. This shows that anti -Semitism is not only a hidden, but also an open problem that requires intensive social disputes. With his fourth annual report, Rias Lower Saxony aims to illuminate the dark field of anti -Semitism and to draw attention to the personal experiences of Jews in Lower Saxony. In addition, the structure is discussed that enables personal experiences, although these are not the cause of anti -Semitic statements.

frequent incidents and serious violence

The number of people directly affected was 215 and reflects a real threat that those affected often do not pursue law enforcement for fear or lack of trust in law enforcement. In April 2024, for example, an arson attack on a synagogue in Oldenburg, in which a 28-year-old threw a fire set against the door and was then instructed in the psychiatry. Such incidents not only make it clear how strongly physical violence against Jews increases, but also how much anti -Semitic attitudes in the minds of some people are anchored.

On the streets, anti -Semitism is visible through insults, such as the insulting of a girl in Oldenburg as a "dirty Jew". In Hanover, too, a woman had to suffer an attack while a helper was insulted and threatened. These events are part of a greater trend: after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel-related anti-Semitism increased significantly, which increases the debate about the topic.

political reactions and social responsibility

The demands for a determined struggle against hatred of Jews become louder, and various actors from politics and society pull together. Gerhard Wegner, the Lower Saxony state representative against anti -Semitism, calls for a decisive approach to this form of hatred. Michael Grünberg from the Jewish community Osnabrück also emphasizes the need for prosecution and prevention. A common concern that is heard in the state parliament: All factions support measures against anti -Semitism, and applications from the SPD, the Greens and the CDU show that the topic is at the top of the political agenda.

But the challenge remains great. Anti -Semitism is a complex problem that is still growing in parts of German society even 70 years after the Holocaust. A Statista survey shows that 30 % of the respondents have experienced anti -Semitic “jokes”, and 15 % report derogatory statements about Jews in the circle of acquaintances. This development is not only locally, but also in the broader national context: in 2024 there were 8,627 anti -Semitic incidents nationwide, which corresponds to an increase of almost 77 percent compared to the previous year.

It remains to be hoped that with more sensitization and a collective commitment to anti -Semitism it will be possible to establish a fundamentally different view in society. The showing finger alone is not enough; It takes courage, civil courage and a strong common appearance to resolve the misanthropic ideologies.