Anti-Semitism in Germany and Around the World on the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II
Published reports indicate a significant increase in anti-Semitism in most parts of the world on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
An annual report released by the “Anti-Defamation League” on Wednesday, May 7, shows that violent anti-Semitic attacks against large Jewish communities outside Israel in seven countries—Germany, France, Britain, America, Canada, Australia, and Argentina—have increased significantly on the 80th anniversary commemorating the end of World War II.
The aforementioned working group, which was formed in 2023, while expressing concern about the escalation of attacks on Jewish communities, particularly following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 civilians, issued a warning. The report states that attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues, businesses, and Jewish individuals in these countries have increased significantly, doubling compared to 2023.
“Marina Rosenberg,” Deputy Director of International Affairs of the Anti-Defamation League, said on this matter: “Many Jews around the world hide their identity symbols due to harassment and persecution, and some have even changed their names in transportation applications so as not to appear Jewish. Anti-Semitism is not limited to right-wing or left-wing extremists, but is seen across communities with different political spectrums, and combating it requires a comprehensive and societal approach. In Germany, anti-Semitic violence from both extreme right-wing sources (particularly the Alternative for Germany party) and from segments of the Muslim community and Palestine supporters has increased.”
Rosenberg, while issuing a warning, added: “The threat of anti-Semitism is not only directed at Jews, but poses a danger to the entire society and democratic values. We have always said that anti-Semitism is a precursor to greater dangers in society; what begins with Jews does not end with them.
When someone remains silent in the face of persecution of Jews, they must know that not only are they morally responsible, but they may also become the next target. If free societies cannot protect minorities, they have questioned their own democratic values.”
Countries with the largest Jewish communities, while emphasizing that combating anti-Semitism should be done through education, warned that these attacks by extremist groups could target other minority groups next.
