11/21/2023 Germany (International Christian Concern) — German officials raided the homes of 17 people accused of posting threats to Jews and antisemitic hate speech through various media platforms online on November 21.  

“One suspect allegedly sent a sticker in a WhatsApp school class chat with the words ‘Gas the Jews.’ Another person, a German-Turkish dual citizen, allegedly posted on his account that ‘the Jewish sons’ deserved nothing more than to be ‘exterminated,’” according to AP News.  

Jews in Germany have faced many trials throughout the history of their people. Suffering the loss of approximately 17 million people during the holocaust and the aftermath of an antisemitic regime, the situation for Jews in Germany remains anything but simple.  

Recently, Jews around the world have been in the spotlight again due to the ongoing conflict in Israel-Gaza. The state of Bavaria, specifically, has faced a steep rise in antisemitic incidents, with a 285% increase in incidents in October from 2022 to 2023, according to the RIAS group.  

When asked about the raids, Bavarian police commissioner Michael Weinzierl said, “It was important to show Jews and Israelis living in the state that we stand behind them here in Bavaria, that we protect them here and also protect them from hostility.”  

The actions of the German police have been encouraging for those who fight for religious freedom. In their pursuit of those who encourage hate speech, they are enforcing their country’s regulations surrounding religious freedom.  

The police are not the only actors taking steps against antisemitic hate speech. High-ranking German officials, including the Chancellor and President, denounced the rise in antisemitism in front of approximately 20,000 Germans last month. In his speech, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said, “It is unbearable that Jews are living in fear again today — in our country of all places.”  

According to the U.S. International Religious Freedom Report of 2022, the German constitution “prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of faith and conscience and the practice of one’s religion. The law prohibits calling for violence, inciting hatred or taking arbitrary measures against religious groups or their members, or defaming religious groups.” 

We are inspired by the efforts set forth by German officials to maintain religious freedom and condemn those who persecute others based on religious practices. We pray for those in Germany who face daily fear of antisemitic persecution. We pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ may be able to support their Jewish brothers and sisters who face hatred. As always, we thank God for his all-knowing and all-powerful character.  

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