Study: Fifth of Germans harbor some anti-Semitism
Jan 23, 2012, 4:05 PM
BERLIN (AP) – A new study by a Parliament-appointed commission shows 20 percent of Germans harbor “latent” anti-Semitism, but anti-Jewish crimes are almost exclusively committed by the far right.
The study _ which draws on several different surveys and other research _ puts Germans in the middle of the pack in Europe, with a German university survey showing more latent anti-Semitism in countries such as Poland, Hungary and Portugal, and less in Italy, Britain, the Netherlands and France.
The study released Monday said the surveys show that about one-fifth of Germans agree with anti-Semitic statements, such as “Jews have too much power in business.”
The study also showed that 90 percent of anti-Semitic crimes are committed by right-wing extremists, who number about 26,000 according to official estimates.
It recommends better coordination of local, state and federal strategies to combat anti-Semitism.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)