The number of incidents increased fivefold: hatred of Jews: fifteen measures and a flaming call

The number of anti-Semitic incidents and attacks is increasing dramatically. Since October 7, 2023, when the terrorist organization Hamas massacred civilians in Israel and sparked a war.

An average of more than eight cases per day
Concerns are also increasing in Austria. “The incidents have increased more than fivefold, a total of more than eight incidents per day,” Oskar Deutsch of the Israeli Cultural Community (IKG) and Constitutional Minister Karoline Edstadler (ÖVP) said on Monday. They presented an ‘online anti-Semitism strategy’. Because attacks and assaults are increasing ‘explosive’, especially in the digital space.

Hold online platforms accountable
The strategy includes three levels, fifteen concrete measures and focuses mainly on cooperation with online platforms, networking between players and ‘encouraging civil society’. Edtstadler refers here to Ahmad Mansour. The Israeli-Arab journalist was a guest in parliament last week on the occasion of the presentation of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize in the fight against anti-Semitism. He said, among other things, that you should not rely solely on social media as an excuse. It concerns everyone.

“I lost my freedom”
Ahmad Mansour arrives under a police escort. The Palestinian, born in Israel, speaks in a small group with journalists and National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP). Also about very personal things. “On October 7, I lost my freedom. Since then, nothing is possible without police protection,” he says.

Back in Germany, a permanently charged level of emotions. Ruthless, blatant words. And the enormous rise of anti-Semitism. It also comes from the left, from the right and increasingly from the Muslim side. The so-called imported hatred of Jews. “In Germany there are even attacks on Jews at universities. Lecture halls are occupied and professors are fired.”

“Oversleep developments”
Mansour has little appreciation for the current Israeli government, but has sharply criticized Muslims for years. He receives death threats from many sides. The 47-year-old psychologist and author has been a German citizen since 2017 and lives in Berlin. He feels the hatred everywhere. Also in his Israeli homeland, from which he recently returned and found a very traumatized society. “I saw this film about the raid. The unspeakable images. I know you have to be careful with such comparisons, but it reminded me of the photos of the Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem.”

One central story has earned him a lot of dislike for Muslims. “Islam has never been integrated into any other culture. He won’t do it in Europe either.” There is a lack of a reform movement, and “mainstream Islam” is far from being opened up and changed. A bleak inventory. Nevertheless, countermeasures must be taken. Come together, talk, educate. Education. Also for Sobotka the only way. Mansour makes a distinction between Muslims, who think and act in different ways and are also liberal – and Islam. Secular states have the task of integrating Muslims, not religion.

Have Germany and Austria missed developments due to immigration? Answer: “Yes”. There has been a misunderstood tolerance for far too long. Dangers suppressed.

“Guiding and reaching people”
Yet Ahmad Mansour is convinced: “As a former anti-Semite who grew up in such a climate, I am sure we can reach such people.” But that also comes with responsibilities. Anyone who wants to naturalize must first visit memorials and meet people of other faiths. He knows this all takes time. But: “If you guide people, you can reach them. Not always, but often.”