welt.de
Rise in Antisemitic Crimes in Saxony Beyond Far-Right and Far-Left Extremism
In Saxony, antisemitic crimes unrelated to far-left or far-right extremism have increased more than fivefold in four years, reaching 67 incidents in 2023 from 9 in 2020, according to a state criminal investigation office report; right-wing extremist antisemitism remains the most dominant form.
- What are the implications of this trend, and what challenges does it present for law enforcement and reporting?
- The significant rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly those linked to "foreign ideology," poses a challenge to law enforcement and understanding the evolving nature of antisemitism. A high number of unreported incidents likely exists due to safety concerns and negative experiences with law enforcement. The increase in antisemitic incidents at universities since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel further highlights the complex and evolving nature of this issue.
- What is the key finding regarding antisemitic crimes in Saxony outside the typical far-left/far-right spectrum?
- Antisemitic crimes in Saxony not attributed to far-left or far-right ideologies increased over fivefold between 2020 and 2023. Specifically, incidents rose from 9 in 2020 to 67 in 2023, with 49 recorded in 2024. The majority of these (34) were categorized under "foreign ideology.
- What are the contributing factors to this increase, and how do these crimes compare to those with right-wing extremist backgrounds?
- The increase is linked to a "heated" societal atmosphere and global instability. While this category has seen a dramatic rise, right-wing extremist antisemitic crimes remain far more prevalent, with approximately 200 incidents annually in the last two years. The vast majority of perpetrators in right-wing extremist cases are German citizens (80-93%).
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view by highlighting the increase in antisemitic crimes from various sources (including those not directly linked to right-wing extremism), while also acknowledging the continued dominance of right-wing extremism in antisemitic crime. The inclusion of perspectives from both law enforcement and an antisemitism advocacy group provides a more nuanced picture. However, the headline (if there was one, which is not provided) could potentially frame the issue to focus more on one aspect over another, depending on its wording.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, employing factual reporting and quoting sources directly. There is no apparent use of loaded language or emotional appeals.
Bias by Omission
While the article provides a comprehensive overview based on the available data, potential omissions could include a deeper exploration of the root causes behind the increase in antisemitic crimes from non-right-wing sources and a breakdown of the specific types of crimes committed. Further analysis of the effectiveness of current strategies in combating antisemitism would also enrich the article. The limitations of relying solely on police reports and one advocacy group's data are also not explicitly addressed.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a significant increase in antisemitic crimes in Saxony, Germany. This directly impacts SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The rise in antisemitic acts undermines peace, fuels social division, and demonstrates a failure of institutions to adequately protect vulnerable groups and uphold the rule of law. The quote "The gesamtgesellschaftliche Stimmung sei "aufgeheizt", die Weltlage "unübersichtlich"" reflects a societal climate conducive to such crimes, further highlighting the failure of institutions to prevent and address this issue.