A recent study reveals that many Jewish individuals who experience antisemitism in Hamburg no longer trust public institutions like the police, judiciary, and government. This distrust results in few reporting antisemitic incidents, believing it to be futile.
The study surveyed 548 Jews in Hamburg, conducted by researchers from the police academies of Hamburg and Lower Saxony. It found that 77% of respondents had faced antisemitic incidents in the past year, with 55% reporting criminal acts such as verbal assaults, threats, and online harassment, and 13% experiencing physical assaults or stalking.
Many participants attributed these incidents to the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel. Trust in the police was notably low among victims of antisemitism, with only 32% expressing confidence, compared to 71% among those who had not faced discrimination.
Eva Groß, a professor at Hamburg’s Police Academy, highlighted the significant underreporting of antisemitic crimes. Only 10% of respondents reported the worst incidents to the police, and just 19% of those filed formal complaints. Common reasons for not reporting included a belief that it would lead to no action (44.7%), perceptions of the incident’s severity, and concerns about not being taken seriously by the police.
The study indicates that 89% of Jewish respondents feel unable to practice their religion freely, leading to withdrawal from public life and avoiding wearing religious symbols. Some respondents have adopted self-protection measures, such as carrying personal alarms or self-defence items.
Philipp Stricharz, head of Hamburg’s Jewish community, stated the study’s findings merely confirmed their experiences: “Jewish life is disappearing from the public sphere.” He criticized authorities for tolerating significant anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment.
Hamburg’s Police President, Falk Schnabel, emphasised the importance of ensuring Jewish safety but acknowledged that everyday antisemitism requires broader societal change.
Hamburg’s Senator for Science and Equality, Katharina Fegebank, expressed deep concern over the findings and stressed the need for a state and societal commitment to protecting Jewish life. The city is currently developing an antisemitism strategy to be implemented within the year.
