JAccording to the authorities, an average of five anti-Jewish crimes are committed every day in Germany. This was reported by the “Welt” on Wednesday, citing a response from the federal government to a request from the left-wing parliamentary group in the Bundestag. According to the government, 1,555 anti-Semitic crimes have been registered nationwide so far this year. Among them were 55 violent crimes.
In addition to the violent attacks on Jews, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) also listed a large number of other crimes, including hate speech, insults, property damage and the use of symbols belonging to unconstitutional organizations. The latter usually means wearing anti-Semitic symbols such as the swastika or other fascist symbols. The report goes on to say that a total of 936 suspects were identified, and no arrest warrants were issued.
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, expressed his deep concern. “In times of crisis, Jews often have to serve as scapegoats. That also results in attacks.” The greatest threat to Jews comes from right-wing extremists, he said. This is especially true when it comes to violence. At the same time, Schuster said that “hostility” often came from Muslims. These are not included in the statistics at all.
The left criticized the recording of anti-Semitic crimes, since the figures from the BKA for the third quarter of the current year are not yet final. Petra Pau, Vice-President of the Bundestag, therefore said to the “Welt”: “In view of the general increase in anti-Semitism, I would wish for greater speed in the correct recording.” Only then could politicians and authorities recognize threatening developments promptly.
Last year, the Federal Ministry of the Interior identified a total of 3,027 cases of anti-Semitic crimes – an increase of more than a quarter compared to 2020.
