The number of anti-Semitic crimes in Bavaria has risen sharply since the Hamas massacre on October 7th and Israel’s subsequent war in the Gaza Strip. According to the Bavarian anti-Semitism commissioner Ludwig Spaenle, 40 percent of the 538 incidents registered by the police last year occurred in the fourth quarter. “We are experiencing an explosion of anti-Semitism in Bavaria,” said Spaenle on Tuesday before the state parliament’s European Committee.
The security situation for Jews in Bavaria has not been this tense for decades. Therefore, anti-Semitism – regardless of political direction – must be consistently pursued. Spaenle once again called for the protection of Jewish life to be anchored as a state goal in the Bavarian constitution.
Israel’s Consul General in Germany, Talya Lador-Fresher, expressed concern to the committee about the increase in anti-Semitic incidents. Addressing Spaenle, she said: “You have a lot of work to do.” At the same time, she praised Bavarian-Israeli relations and thanked Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) for the solidarity visit around two months after the Hamas terrorist attack. “You recognize good friends especially in times of crisis.” Bavaria’s company called on Lador-Fresher to do more business with Israel again. According to preliminary figures, the trading volume fell in 2023. “Investing in Israel is worth it.”
The diplomat also defended Israel’s war in Gaza, in which tens of thousands of civilians have already been injured or killed. It’s about destroying Hamas’ structures and freeing the 136 hostages kidnapped by the terrorist militia. Since the attack four months ago, time has stood still for many Israelis, said the consul general. “Today is February 6th, but for me today is still October 7th.”