Growing Criticism Towards Israel Amongst Germans
Breaking Down the Relationship
There's a growing divide in the perception of Israel among Germans and Israelis, according to the latest survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation. While Israelis hold a predominantly positive view of Germany and its government, the sentiment toward Israel has deteriorated in Germany over the past four years.
Changing Opinions in Germany
The survey reveals a shift in sentiment compared to 2021. In contrast to the 46 percent of respondents who had a positive view of Israel, only 36 percent still hold a favorable opinion, with 38 percent expressing a negative view. In contrast, 60 percent of Israelis hold a positive or very positive image of Germany.
Perceptions of Government
Moreover, 59 percent of Germans surveyed have a negative image of the Israeli government, while only 17 percent of Israelis surveyed have a very negative or somewhat negative view of the German government. Interestingly, 68 percent of Israelis seek closer cooperation with Germany, more than double the number in Germany.
Rise in Anti-Semitic Attitudes
The survey also indicates a surge in anti-Semitic attitudes among Germans, with 27 percent of respondents expressing claims of excessive Jewish influence, which is the highest level in years. Furthermore, anti-Semitism related to Israel has increased, with 29 percent of respondents feeling that Israeli policy makes Jews less sympathetic to them. This percentage spikes significantly among younger Germans, with a 14% increase among those under 40.
Historical Influence and Education
The legacy of Germany's past, particularly the Holocaust, remains a significant factor in the attitudes of both Germans and Israelis. However, more Israelis attach importance to this memory compared to Germans. Another difference emerges when considering the level of education, with only 25 percent of those with low education dismissing the past, compared to 41 percent of those with higher education.
Political Differences
Party preferences play a crucial role in attitudes toward the past, with 63 percent of AfD supporters favoring drawing a line under the past, while only 14 percent of Green Party supporters share this sentiment.
Germany's Special Responsibility
The survey also found that 64% of Israelis believe Germany holds a unique responsibility towards both the Jewish people and the State of Israel. In contrast, only about one-third of Germans surveyed felt this responsibility towards the Jewish people, and even fewer (around one-quarter) towards the State of Israel.
In conclusion, the survey suggests a change in perspective among Germans towards Israel, with increasing anti-Semitic attitudes and a more critical view of the Israeli government. Israelis, on the other hand, continue to hold a predominantly positive view of Germany and seek closer cooperation. The reasons for these shifts in sentiment are complex and multifaceted, requiring further exploration in future studies.
[1] Source: ntv.de, toh/dpa
- Israel
- Antisemitism
- Holocaust
- Germany
Enrichment Data:Without specific data from a 2025 Bertelsmann Foundation survey, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact current sentiment or levels of anti-Semitism towards Israel among Germans and Israelis. It's important to note that the study of anti-Semitism is a complex field, often intertwined with discussions on anti-Zionism, and different populations can have varying opinions on these matters.
Historically, figures like Paul de Lagarde have contributed to anti-Semitic views, shaping the narrative that predated and influenced Nazism. Organizations such as the Bard Center for the Study of Hate invest in research on hate crimes, shining light on their economic and social impacts. However, these studies do not specifically address sentiments towards Israel among Germans and Israelis.
As the research landscape evolves, future surveys, like those potentially conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, will provide valuable insights into these relationship dynamics and attitudes. These surveys often delve into perceptions of anti-Semitism, interstate relationships, and cultural attitudes that shape sentiments toward Israel and Germany.
- The divergence in sentiments between Germans and Israelis is evident in a recent survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
- While Israelis hold a predominantly positive view of Germany, the sentiment toward Israel has deteriorated among Germans.
- In contrast to the 46 percent of respondents who had a positive view of Israel in 2021, only 36 percent still hold a favorable opinion today.
- A significant number of Germans have a negative view of Israel, with 38 percent expressing this sentiment.
- Interestingly, 60 percent of Israelis hold a positive or very positive image of Germany.
- The Israeli government is viewed more favorably by Germans, with only 17 percent having a negative view, compared to 59 percent of Israelis having a negative image of the German government.
- Anti-Semitic attitudes are on the rise among Germans, with 27 percent expressing claims of excessive Jewish influence in 2022.
- Anti-Semitism related to Israel has increased, with 29 percent of respondents feeling that Israeli policy makes Jews less sympathetic to them.
- This percentage spikes significantly among younger Germans, with a 14% increase among those under 40.
- The legacy of Germany's past, particularly the Holocaust, remains a significant factor in the attitudes of both Germans and Israelis.
- More Israelis attach importance to this memory compared to Germans.
- Another difference emerges when considering the level of education, with only 25 percent of those with low education dismissing the past, compared to 41 percent of those with higher education.
- Party preferences play a crucial role in attitudes toward the past, with 63 percent of AfD supporters favoring drawing a line under the past.
- On the other hand, only 14 percent of Green Party supporters share this sentiment.
- Israelis believe that Germany holds a unique responsibility towards the Jewish people and the State of Israel, with 64% expressing this view.
- In contrast, only about one-third of Germans surveyed felt this responsibility towards the Jewish people, and even fewer (around one-quarter) towards the State of Israel.
- The survey indicates a change in perspective among Germans towards Israel, with increasing anti-Semitic attitudes and a more critical view of the Israeli government.
- Israelis, on the other hand, continue to hold a predominantly positive view of Germany and seek closer cooperation.
- The reasons for these shifts in sentiment are complex and multifaceted, requiring further exploration in future studies.
- The complexities and nuances of anti-Semitism often intertwine with discussions on anti-Zionism.
- Figures like Paul de Lagarde have contributed to anti-Semitic views, shaping the narrative that predated and influenced Nazism.
- Organizations such as the Bard Center for the Study of Hate invest in research on hate crimes, helping to understand their economic and social impacts.
- However, these studies do not specifically address sentiments towards Israel among Germans and Israelis.
- Future surveys, like those potentially conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, will provide valuable insights into these relationship dynamics and attitudes.
- These surveys often delve into perceptions of anti-Semitism, interstate relationships, and cultural attitudes that shape sentiments toward Israel and Germany.
- Embracing personal growth and mindfulness can help address some aspects of discrimination and prejudice, contributing to a more harmonious community-policy and employment-policy approach.
- Online education and job-search platforms can provide resources for career-development, enabling individuals to improve their productivity and skills-training for employment in various fields.
- Understanding the complexities of international relations and power dynamics is crucial for making informed decisions in politics, including the management of war-and-conflicts and setting goals for learning and lifelong-learning.
