One in five Germans still harbors anti-Semitic feelings, a new study shows

By: Vickie J. Rubinson

Report commissioned by German parliament says anti-Semitism still rooted in German society. Many Germans agree with anti-Semitic statements such as "Jews have too much power in business."

More than 60 years after the end of WWII, anti-Semitism is still rampant in Germany, a new study by an independent committee of experts appointed by the German parliament has revealed. The study, released Monday, ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan 27, shows that 20% of Germans harbor "latent" anti-Semitic feelings.

The study--which draws on several different surveys and other research--puts Germans in the middle of the pack in Europe, with a German university survey showing more latent anti-Semitism in countries such as Poland, Hungary and Portugal and less in Italy, Britain, the Netherlands and France.

"Anti-Semitism in our society is based on widespread prejudices, deeply rooted cliches and on sheer ignorance about Jews and Judaism," one of the author, London-based German history professor Peter Longerich told reporters at a press conference to unveil the report in Berlin.

The study shows that about one-fifth of Germans agree with anti Semitic statements such as "Jews have too much power in business." It also shows that anti-Semitism runs deep in mainstream society, citing children's frequent use of the word "Jew" as an insult in playgrounds. The report also cited chants from crowds at soccer matches where Jewish teams play shouting "Jews to the gas chamber," or "Bring back Auschwitz."

The rise of the internet has made this a particularly volatile problem, the study's author's add, because it provides a platform for extremists to spread their hateful messages. The report did say, however, that the vast majority of anti-Semitic crimes are committed by right-wing extremists who number only about 26,000 of Germany's more than 80 million residents.