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“The threat to Jewish life is worse than at any time since the Holocaust,” said Hesse antisemitism commissioner Uwe Becker.
By United with Israel Staff
Germany is continuing to see elevated levels of antisemitism, with thousands of incidents recorded in 2025 even as figures showed a slight decline from the previous year.
According to a report published by Germany’s Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (RIAS), 2,197 antisemitic incidents were documented in Berlin alone over the past year. While that marked a decrease of about 13 percent from 2024, the number remains more than double pre-October 7 levels, underscoring a sustained surge since Hamas’ massacre in southern Israel.
The report documented 40 violent incidents in the capital, including a stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial in which a young man was wounded in the neck. Other cases included physical assaults, spitting, and vandalism targeting Jewish institutions and businesses.
RIAS described a growing sense of insecurity among Jews and Israelis, with many avoiding public displays of Jewish identity. Individuals reported hesitating to wear religious symbols, speak Hebrew or openly identify as Jewish in everyday settings.
“Everyday situations such as riding the subway or taking a taxi, or visiting concerts and cafés, often suddenly and unexpectedly became threatening,” the report stated.
The trend extends beyond Berlin. In the state of Hesse, RIAS recorded a record 1,099 antisemitic incidents in 2025, an 18 percent increase from the previous year and nearly six times higher than levels before October 7.
Jewish leaders warned that antisemitism is becoming more entrenched across German society. “The threat to Jewish life is worse than at any time since the Holocaust,” said Hesse antisemitism commissioner Uwe Becker.
The report points to a sharp rise in anti-Israel demonstrations, with 239 events featuring antisemitic rhetoric, including calls for violence against Jews and denial of Israel’s right to exist.
In Berlin, community leaders also expressed concern that the scale of the problem is being downplayed. Sigmount Königsberg, antisemitism commissioner of the Jewish community in the city, said Israel-related antisemitism now accounts for the majority of cases.
“Many in the community once believed Berlin was a safe place, but that has changed,” he said, adding that some residents are now reconsidering their future in the city.
The report also highlighted the spread of incidents into everyday environments. There were 190 cases recorded in schools and universities, 84 on public transportation, and 52 in cultural venues.
According to RIAS, antisemitism is increasingly shaping daily life, affecting not only those directly targeted but also their families and communities, as concerns over safety influence where people go, how they behave, and whether they feel secure in public spaces.
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