We live in a time of doubt. Jewish people are questioning society, its ability to defend itself against its enemies, and whether Germany remains committed to protecting Jewish life. They wonder if the lessons and responsibilities drawn from the Shoah are still upheld—both in terms of Germany’s culture of remembrance and the place of Jewish life today.
However, this doubt must not paralyze us—neither as a Jewish community nor as a society. Just days before Hanukkah, we are guided by the festival’s message of hope.
Yes, Jewish life in Germany faces greater danger today than at any time since the Shoah, particularly after October 7, 2023. A coalition spanning the political spectrum—extending from far-left to far-right, from Islamist circles to mainstream society—threatens the foundations of Jewish life and our collective memory culture. This cannot be tolerated: hatred of Jews, historical amnesia, and hostility toward Israel must never become normalized in our society.
The federal government and the Bundestag play a crucial role, but they face this challenge amidst political uncertainty. The collapse of the coalition government and upcoming elections in February signal significant political change. This period offers an opportunity for more honesty, even in addressing complex issues like foreign and migration policy, alongside the urgent need for tangible measures to protect Jewish life.
Fighting antisemitism demands confronting uncomfortable truths. Germany’s criminal law must be strengthened to address all forms of antisemitism, including online. Social media platforms must also be held accountable. The boundaries established by political education to resist antisemitism are being eroded by unfiltered platforms where conspiracy theorists and extremists thrive. This trend must end.
Germany’s penal code must explicitly include antisemitism as a criterion under Section 130 (incitement to hatred). Moreover, cultural and academic spheres cannot be exempt from scrutiny. A network of Israel-haters and antisemites continues to distort public discourse, undermining clear positions against antisemitism. Germany must decisively counter these efforts, ensuring no public funds support antisemitic narratives.
The Bundestag’s resolution to “Protect Jewish Life” in this legislative period provides a solid framework, but its implementation is critical. While not everything can or should be forbidden, a society that allows antisemitic narratives to be funded with taxpayer money fails its moral obligations.
Encouragingly, some political parties seem to recognize the need for stronger clarity and commitment to safeguarding Jewish life in their election platforms.
Protecting Jewish life also means strengthening it. The Central Council’s recently published “Community Barometer” study shows that Jewish identity in Germany remains resilient. A strong connection to Israel is an essential pillar of this identity. However, the rise of anti-Israel sentiment and open displays of hatred on German streets directly impact Jewish life in the country.
As the Central Council, we are committed to combatting Israel’s demonization and expect the same from German foreign policy. Israel’s security is a cornerstone of Germany’s state policy and must remain a guiding principle, never undermined by voting behavior on European or international stages.
One troubling omission in election platforms is the lack of strong language against the subtle dilution of Shoah remembrance. While the far-right dismisses the singularity of the Shoah as a “cult of guilt,” and parts of the far-left view it through a post-colonial lens of “German guilt,” mainstream politics often fails to counteract this relativization.
This is evident in debates about Germany’s memorial site policies. Authentic sites like concentration camp memorials must be financially secured, as their importance will only grow with time. Any attempt to equate the Shoah with the necessary reckoning of colonial crimes undermines Shoah remembrance and must be corrected.
We need a new course, and I hope a future government will rise to this challenge. One thing is certain: we refuse to give in to doubt. Instead, we choose hope—hope that this hope itself will once again become certainty.
The editorial was originally published in the German newspaper Jüdische Allgemeine.Â
