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| Rising neo-Nazism is the source of attacks on Jewish institutions and property, unprecedented since World War II. In December 1994, Interior Minister Manfred Kanther stated that neo-Nazi groups are more and more turning their attacks from foreigners to Jews. |
Although the upsurge of violence in Germany has been well publicized in international media and condemned by the German government, it continues to grow. Violent crimes are far above pre-unification levels. Meanwhile, non-violent crimes such as criminal harassment and intimidation have also significantly increased in the last two years.
One of the most disturbing features of rising neo-Nazism is the unprecedented—since World War II—increase in attacks upon Jewish institutions and property.
According to a December 1994 statement by Interior Minister Manfred Kanther, neo-Nazi groups are increasingly turning from attacking foreigners to targeting Jews.
The year after reunification, the number of violent anti-Semitic acts was 40. In 1992, it rose to 65 and in 1993, to 72. The increase shows no signs of abating.
Criminal anti-Semitic acts in Germany are likewise on the rise, with 367 in 1991, 562 in 1992, 656 in 1993, and 1,366 in 1994.
Attacks on Jewish property for the first nine months of 1994 rose to 937, more than 16 times the number for the full 12 months of 1991. Also in 1994, for the first time since World War II, a Jewish place of worship was attacked when a synagogue in Lübeck was firebombed. People living in the apartments above the synagogue were lucky to escape with their lives. Had it not been for alert neighbors who saw the flames and called the fire department, the residents would have perished—which may have been the intention of the arsonists, according to investigating officials. Appendix A.
Alarming Trend of Increasing Anti-"Foreigner” and Anti-Jewish Violence
The response of the authorities to this wave of brutality has been patently inadequate. Almost 80 percent of cases brought to punish criminal wrongdoing are dismissed before trial. Of those tried, only 10 to 15 percent are convicted. Less than half of those found guilty are sent to prison and fewer than 15 percent received sentences in excess of two years.
It is not surprising, therefore, that post-unification Germany has received increasing attention from human rights groups concerned about the alarming trend of mounting anti-foreigner” and anti-Jewish violence and unimpressed by the German government’s lackadaisical handling of the situation.
