Study reveals widespread antisemitism in North Rhine-Westphalia

Professor Lars Rensmann from the University of Passau at the press conference at which the results of the study were presented. Copyright: State of NRW / Martin Götz 

The study shows that 8 per cent of respondents share religiously influenced antisemitic attitudes. At 24 per cent, almost a quarter of respondents believe in modern antisemitic narratives, such as the fantasy of a so-called “Jewish world conspiracy”. 19 per cent of respondents agree with relativising or even denying the Holocaust, while Israel-related antisemitism is still supported by 14 per cent of respondents. The study found clear differences not only in the forms of antisemitism, but also in terms of the modes of its expression.

In addition to a new, comprehensive questionnaire and the analysis of tolerated antisemitism the study offered further research innovations for exploring antisemitism in society. This includes experiments on antisemitic behaviour in different contexts. "Our evidence shows, among other things, how important primary group norms are to which people adapt, and therefore how important it is to maintain anti-antisemitic norms in society and to oppose the normalization of antisemitism," explains Professor Rensmann, who holds the Chair of Political Science with a focus on Comparative Government at the University of Passau.

Passau political scientist concerned about antisemitism among teenagers

The study was conducted over the past two years by a team of researchers from the University of Passau and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf on behalf of the Antisemitism Commissioner of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Ministry of the Interior. A total of 1,300 people in North Rhine-Westphalia age 16 and over were surveyed using a quota system. The study is also the first major survey on antisemitic resentments since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The study also examined the extent to which different demographic groups exhibit particularly high levels of antisemitism.

Antisemitism has increasingly become an accepted or tolerated norm in society, especially among young people, and this process of normalization has to be stopped and reversed.

Professor Lars Rensmann, University of Passau

Professor Rensmann from the University of Passau analyzes the results as follows: "The study offers the most comprehensive findings to date on prevalence, forms and factors of antisemitism in society. The wide-spread acceptance of antisemitism, and particularly Israel-related antisemitism, among teenagers is particularly worrying. Moreover, almost half of the respondents harbored camouflaged antisemitic resentments, especially conspiracy myths and so-called secondary antisemitism related to the memory of the Holocaust. The empirical findings point to some implications in terms of measures. The fight against antisemitism remains a task for society as a whole, and is closely related to the defense of democracy at large. Antisemitism has increasingly become an accepted or tolerated norm in society, especially among young people, and this process of normalization has to be stopped and reversed. Instead, anti-antisemitic norms should be strengthened. First and foremost, this requires a new societal approach to the rampant antisemitism on social media such as TikTok, which has long become a primary instance of socialization. Some of the popular videos glorifies antisemitic violence, and disseminating disinformation and hate speech are the general hallmarks of such media. In my view, we need a new social contract and new initiatives for intervention and prevention in relation to social media. This has to include new regulations holding social media corporations accountable for the hate speech, disinformation and conspiracy myths they publicize. There is also an urgent need for institutional measures to improve the education and skills of educators, such as youth workers and teachers. Finally, the influence of authoritarian states and organisations, which often distribute antisemitism, on democratic education, institutions, civil society, and the public at large must be challenged or stopped. The challenge is great and requires a new kind of social endeavour.”

With our questionnaire and measurements, we were able to differentiate between various forms of antisemitism and found that (depending on the form) 8 to 24 per cent of respondents hold deeply rooted antisemitic convictions.

Professor Heiko Beyer, Heinrich Heine University 

Sociologist Heiko Beyer from Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf explains: “Our study shows that antisemitic attitudes have reached a worrying level of normality in North Rhine-Westphalia. With our questionnaire and measurements, we were able to differentiate between various forms of antisemitism and found that (depending on the form) 8 to 24 per cent of respondents hold deeply rooted antisemitic convictions. It is particularly noteworthy that the proportion of highly educated and politically left-wing respondents is probably even underestimated, since, as our survey experiments suggest, they tend not to openly admit their attitudes. Furthermore, the results reveal a significant discriminatory preference in behavior: on average, respondents were more likely to avoid Jewish (and Black) fellow travellers on the train compared to non-Jewish ones. These findings paint an alarming picture of the prevalence of antisemitic attitudes and their potential impact on societal coexistence.”