As the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October 2023 approaches, Germany’s federal security authorities are particularly vigilant. This week, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser met for consultations with the leadership of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Federal Police (BPOL) and Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). The Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023 and the subsequent escalation of violence in the Middle East continue to impact Germany’s security situation: the number of antisemitic crimes related to the conflict in the Middle East is alarmingly high. Various extremist movements are using antisemitism and hostility towards Israel for their own purposes. The security authorities are particularly focused on Islamist extremism.

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said, “One year after 7 October, we mourn the victims and we remain anxious about the safety of the many hostages. Our sympathy also goes to the families who lost sons, daughters, parents, grandparents and friends in this dreadful attack or who still must fear for the safety of their loved ones – we stand with you in these difficult times. The Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel were the most serious on Jewish life since the Shoah.

Given the drastic increase in antisemitic crimes in Germany, we are, now more than ever, responsible for doing our utmost to protect Jewish people. There is a heightened risk of Islamist, antisemitic and anti-Israel violence. We are doing everything in our power to combat this. Our bans on the terrorist organisation Hamas and other Islamist organisations in Germany have enabled the authorities to take decisive action. Any form of support for these organisations is now a crime. This includes both online propaganda and propaganda out on the streets. The bans have enabled our security authorities to take swift and decisive action. We have also amended many laws: antisemites and Islamists can no longer become naturalised German citizens. It is now much easier and faster to expel and deport extremists and criminals.

I am very grateful to the federal states for the continued and strong protection their police forces provide to Jewish and Israeli institutions. This is absolutely necessary. Only weeks ago, an attack on the Israeli Consulate General in Munich showed how vitally important this protection is.

In addition to the consistent action of the security authorities, we need the whole of society to work together in combating hatred and violence. We all have to demonstrate clearly that we stand firmly with Jews who are under threat. Indifference has no place here, and we cannot look the other way.”

Since the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October 2023, the police have recorded a significant rise in the number of antisemitic crimes: In 2023, the police recorded around 1,600 antisemitic crimes until the beginning of October. Between January and the beginning of October 2024, however, this number was at more than 3,200 (figures include antisemitic crimes with and without a link to the current conflict in the Middle East). In the context of the current conflict in the Middle East, the police have recorded nearly 8,500 politically motivated crimes since 7 October 2023 [as at: 4 October 2024]. Among these, 3,464 crimes were classed as motivated by antisemitism. These were predominantly politically motivated crimes in the following categories: crimes linked to foreign ideology (2,123), religious ideology (774), right-wing extremism (322) and left-wing extremism (87). Most of the offences were antisemitically motivated property damage or public incitement to hatred and violence.

The risk of violent attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions by extremists has risen in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel and the subsequent escalation of the situation in the Middle East. Antisemitism and hostility to Israel are common to different extremist movements. Islamist extremists, in particular, exploit the fact that antisemitism has the potential to generate strong emotions and mobilise support in Germany. Terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda continue to call for attacks in Israel, Europe and “the West”. For this reason, the Islamist threat remains a particular focus of the security authorities. All tips and indications of threats are thoroughly examined.

More detailed information can be found in the 4 October 2024 press release of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).