German government investigates anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism in Germany has a long tradition. It dates back to religious anti-Semitism many centuries ago culminating in the Holocaust. More recently, anti-Semitism was rising again in Germany. At least partly, it was encouraged by recent news reports on the Israel-Palestine conflict. This occurred at the time when a new Anti-Semitic party – the Alternative for Germany – emerged at Germany's political scene. To ascertain the prevalence of anti-Semitism, Germany's federal parliament set up an independent commission in 2012. In 2017, the commission reported its findings. This review discusses the commission's results focusing on a definition of anti-Semitism; hate crimes based on anti-Semitism; the extend of anti-Semitism in Germany's political centre; anti-Semitism in the media, social movements and racist organizations; an evaluation of anti-Semitism based on surveys and interviews; anti-Semitism in Germany's political parties; and finally, anti-Semitism of refugees and migrants. The report concludes recommendations seeking to prevent anti-Semitism.