Anti-Jewish feeling is “significantly” entrenched in German society, according to a report by experts appointed by the Bundestag (parliament).
They say the internet has played a key role in spreading Holocaust denial, far-right and extreme Islamist views, according to the DPA news agency.
They also speak of “a wider acceptance in mainstream society of day-to-day anti-Jewish tirades and actions”.
The expert group, set up in 2009, is to report regularly on anti-Semitism.
The findings of their report, due to be presented on Monday, were that anti-Jewish sentiment was “based on widespread prejudice, deeply-rooted cliches and also on plain ignorance of Jews and Judaism“.
quoted schoolchildren using the words, ‘You Jew,’ as a derogatory term for one another nationwide in playground squabbles.
Crowds routinely tried to antagonize Jewish teams during football matches with chants of ‘Jews to the gas chamber,’ ‘Bring back Auschwitz,’ and ‘Set fire to the synagogues,’ the report added.The panel called on politicians to come up with more ways to push back against anti-Jewish attitudes, but noted that anti-Semitism was almost impossible to stop online.