The number of anti-Semitic crimes in Bavaria rose significantly higher last year than previously expected: a total of 589 crimes were registered in 2023 – a new record. This emerges from a current response from the Ministry of the Interior to a parliamentary question from the state parliament Greens, which is available to the German Press Agency.
Among the 589 crimes, 15 were violent crimes with 26 registered victims. 15 acts were directed against Jewish institutions and synagogues. This included an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in Upper Franconia at the beginning of 2023. At the beginning of February there was talk of a total of 538 registered anti-Semitic crimes, 50 fewer.
At that time, the Bavarian anti-Semitism commissioner Ludwig Spaenle (CSU) had already announced that the number had risen significantly since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th. In fact, according to the new ministry figures, a majority of the crimes (366) were registered in the last quarter.
For comparison: In the previous record year of 2021, 510 anti-Semitic crimes were counted in the Free State, and in 2022 there were 358. According to the Interior Ministry, of the 589 anti-Semitic crimes registered in 2023, 369 cases were solved by the police. 397 suspects were recorded. More than half of the crimes were attributed to right-wing extremist perpetrators.
“At least one anti-Semitic crime happens every day in Bavaria,” complained Green Party parliamentary group leader Katharina Schulze and warned: “It must not be the case that Jews no longer feel safe.” Therefore more must be done. “We must banish hatred of Jews from our society.” The state government must present a detailed picture of the situation and: The search and investigation pressure must be increased.
The Green Party’s spokesman for strategies against right-wing extremism, Cemal Bozoğlu, called the new record values frightening. One must “use all repressive and preventive instruments to curb the growing anti-Semitism in society.” The Greens also complain that when it comes to criminal punishment for anti-Semitic crimes and violent crimes in Bavaria, many cases have come to nothing. In 2023, judgments made by Bavarian courts following anti-Semitic crimes resulted in 149 fines, 23 prison or youth sentences and 36 measures under youth criminal law, as well as two acquittals.
This may also include criminal proceedings before the beginning of 2023. The numbers also come from the state government’s response to the Greens’ request. “Many convictions fall under the juvenile criminal law,” explained Schulze and demanded: “More investments are needed in education and enlightenment in schools and outside.” The Bavarian police do not statistically record anti-Semitic incidents below the criminal liability threshold. Figures from the Bavarian Anti-Semitism Research and Information Center (RIAS) are expected this Monday.