German Ombudsman: Quality of Life for Jews in Germany Has Deteriorated
Germany's anti-Semitism commissioner Felix Klein, leaving his post after eight years, says the quality of life for Jewish communities in Germany has worsened despite systematic efforts to combat anti-Semitism.
Felix Klein, the German government's commissioner for combating anti-Semitism, is stepping down after eight years in office. In an interview with the epd news agency, cited by Deutsche Welle, he stated that the quality of life for Jewish communities in Germany has deteriorated.
Klein said one of his goals was to help Jews live a completely normal life in German society, but for many reasons, this has not been achieved. He expressed particular concern that some Jews in Germany are afraid to openly show their identity due to rising anti-Semitic sentiments.
He also noted that Jews in Germany are often held responsible for the policies of the Israeli government and its actions toward Palestinians. Klein called for a clear distinction between the terms "Jewish" and "Israeli."
Despite the negative assessment, Klein praised the work of German authorities, stating that over the past eight years, the police, judiciary, and state agencies have learned to apply a systematic approach to combating anti-Semitism. However, he said that before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, authorities had underestimated the level of left-wing anti-Semitism among left-leaning political groups and migrant communities.
Klein emphasized that the government should engage with Muslim communities, as Islamist anti-Semitism is "extremely dangerous." He stressed that the vast majority of Muslims living in Germany do not hold anti-Semitic views.
Klein has served as anti-Semitism commissioner since 2018. In August 2026, he will take up the position as head of Germany's permanent representation to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
