Israeli writer warns of growing anti-Jewish sentiment in Germany and erosion of sense of security

Israeli circles are experiencing a state of increasing anxiety due to what they describe as growing international isolation, the features of which have begun to appear clearly in Western countries. Germany is at the forefront of these countries, witnessing widespread popular movements and demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian rights, which has raised questions about the future of Jewish communities there.

In this context, writer Zeev Avrahami stated in an article published by Yedioth Ahronoth that his initial impressions upon arriving in Berlin suggested that the German state had learned the lessons of the Holocaust. However, the reality on the ground in recent years has proven otherwise, as he believes that ensuring the safety of Jews is no longer a top priority for the German authorities.

Avrahami pointed out that, as a Jew of Eastern origin, he now prefers to avoid certain areas in eastern Germany near the capital Berlin. He attributes this to the noticeable spread of neo-Nazi groups in those areas, which poses a direct threat to his personal safety and the safety of those who resemble him in appearance.

He also drew attention to continuous warnings for Jews to avoid neighborhoods inhabited by immigrants, such as the famous Neukölln district in Berlin. Despite attempts to downplay the seriousness of the situation there, the prevailing impression is that there is a state of unacceptance and overt hostility towards Israeli and Jewish symbols in those circles.

The article spoke of a new phenomenon in which some Jewish families are forced to remove religious symbols from the facades of their homes and hide any Hebrew writings. These precautionary steps come as a result of the escalation of campaigns that justify violence against Jews, and link their presence to the policies of the current Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Avrahami described the daily life of a Jew in Berlin as requiring a kind of constant self-censorship in public places. Even ordering a taxi has become a source of tension and anxiety, for fear of harassment or verbal and physical assaults based on religious or national identity.

These manifestations were not limited to marginalized neighborhoods, but extended to include areas that were considered safe and modern strongholds for Jews, such as 'Prenzlauer Berg' and 'Mitte'. The writer observed the presence of inciting slogans and swastika drawings on building walls, accompanied by phrases explicitly calling for the killing of Jews, which reflects a serious security deterioration.

In his reading of German society, the writer believes that Germans have succeeded in protecting individual rights, supporting peace, and welcoming immigrants, but in return they allow pro-Palestinian demonstrations to grow. He considered that these demonstrations have reached unprecedented levels in terms of momentum and impact on the German street.

Avrahami criticized what he described as 'Germans' love for dead Jews', referring to the great official interest in commemorating the Holocaust and focusing on history. In contrast, he sees a shortcoming in defending the right of living Jews to live with dignity and safety, considering that some leftist currents exclude Jews from the umbrella of minority protection.

The writer concluded his article by referring to opinion poll results that show a worrying rise of the far-right, where a quarter of Germans may vote for parties described as fascist. He believes that these data, along with student slogans calling for the liberation of Palestine from the 'German guilt complex', place the Jewish community before unprecedented existential challenges.

Germans love dead Jews, referring to their focus on the past without sufficient attention to the lives of Jews in the present.