Reports of antisemitism in 2025 remain high
Germany recorded more than 8,700 antisemitic incidents in 2025, according to a new report by the Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS), showing hate crimes and hostility remain at alarmingly high levels.
The report documented a wide range of incidents targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the country. In one shocking case in the German state of Hesse, a rabbi was shoved in front of his children while his phone was stolen. During the attack, the perpetrators blamed him for the actions of the Israeli government, highlighting how tensions related to Israel continue to affect Jewish communities in Germany.
Many reported incidents involved verbal abuse, threats, and disturbing online harassment. In one chilling case, a Jewish woman received an image of a Zyklon B gas canister on Facebook with the message “Still in stock.” Zyklon B was the poison gas used by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust to murder Jews and other persecuted groups, making the threat especially horrifying.
RIAS, founded in Berlin in 2018 and funded by the German government, tracks antisemitic incidents across 11 of Germany’s 16 states. The organization notes that antisemitism often begins long before it reaches the level of a criminal offense. However, RIAS has faced criticism over its classification methods, particularly regarding what it labels as “Israel-related antisemitism.” The Berlin-based international organization Diaspora Alliance has accused RIAS of overemphasizing Israel-related incidents while underestimating rising far-right extremism, though RIAS strongly rejects these claims.
The report found that antisemitic incidents surged sharply after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering war in Gaza. According to RIAS, 68% of all recorded incidents in 2025 were categorized as “Israel-related antisemitism.” Experts warn that many people wrongly equate Jews worldwide with the State of Israel, leading to misplaced hostility toward Jewish communities that may have no connection to Israeli politics.
Four cases of extreme violence were documented in 2025. One of the most widely reported incidents was a knife attack at Berlin’s Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe in February, where a Spanish tourist was stabbed after being mistaken for Jewish. The victim survived thanks to emergency medical intervention, and the attacker was later sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Online hatred has also become a major concern. Reported online antisemitic incidents rose from 1,996 in 2024 to 2,314 in 2025. Nearly 43% of all open threats occurred on social media, with many victims reporting long-term psychological effects and fear in daily life.
Josef Schuster, chairman of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said Jewish communities are increasingly anxious about public visibility. Many fear wearing visible Jewish symbols such as a kippa (Jewish skullcap) or a Star of David necklace in public. He warned that while the situation varies across Germany, conditions in major urban areas have become particularly troubling.
Felix Klein, the Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight Against Antisemitism, called the findings deeply concerning. He said rising antisemitism threatens not only Jewish people but also Germany’s democracy, freedom, and moral foundation, warning that the country faces a growing challenge with no signs of slowing down.