Merz: Jewish children must be able to grow up without fear, too

Berlin (dpa) – Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reaffirmed his determination to ensure that Jewish people can live in safety in Germany. Speaking about the impressions he had gained from meetings with members of the Jewish community – especially children – Merz said: “I want our country to remain a place where all children can grow up and live without fear, including Jewish children.” 

Since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip, many Jews in Germany have experienced a marked rise in antisemitism, according to the Central Council of Jews in Germany. 

The Federal Association of Research and Information Centres on Antisemitism (RIAS) has also recorded an increase in protests of an antisemitic nature. “Calls for the destruction of Israel, support for violence against Jews, open approval of Hamas terrorism and the trivialisation of the Shoah – two years after 7 October, all of this has become a deeply troubling normality,” said Benjamin Steinitz, managing director of RIAS. 

For a new report, RIAS analysed 2,225 demonstrations held between 7 October 2023 and the end of 2024 at which antisemitic content was documented. The number of such gatherings increased from an average of just under one to five per day. Antisemitism relating to Israel was identified at 89 per cent of the protests – a significant increase on previous levels.