Report on the protection of the constitution: extremism on the rise in almost all areas
Haldenwang spoke of a "very high level of threats". The risk of jihadist attacks has increased since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel. The Middle East conflict has also served as a catalyst for antisemitism in Germany. In addition, the danger from the far-right and left-wing extremist spectrum is growing.
According to the Constitutional Protection Report, a new record high of crimes with extremist backgrounds was registered in 2023, which increased by nearly 4000 to 39,433. The total number of politically motivated crimes increased to 60,028 (2022: 58,916).
Threats from Islamism manifest both through radicalized individuals and jihadist groups. "Besides the simpler attacks on primarily 'soft' targets that have dominated in recent years, one must also reckon with more complex attack plans," warn the Constitutional Protection Agencies.
A significant common denominator among many Islamist groups is antisemitism. "Islamist propaganda not only fosters antisemitic thought, it calls for following through on these thoughts with actions," the report states. "We have the Islamist scene under surveillance," said Interior Minister Faeser.
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel is now considered an extremist suspect case. The movement is said to have "connections to secular Palestinian extremism," according to the report. There are "sufficient factual indications" that BDS, among other things, "violates the principles of people's understanding."
The Right-wing extremism remains the largest problem. The total number of right-wing extremist criminal and violent acts increased significantly by 22.4 percent to 25,660 in comparison to the previous year.
The report also identifies radical tendencies within the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which the Constitutional Protection Agency considers a right-wing extremist suspect case. 11,300 people - an increase of 1,100 over the previous year - are identified by the authorities in relation to the AfD and its youth organization Young Alternative as part of the right-wing extremist potential.
"Within the AfD, numerous AfD functionaries and mandate holders had established firm connections to actors and organizations from the extreme right wing in 2023," the report states. "These are not random, but structural connections within a strategically acting network."
From the left-wing extremist sphere, the radical climate activist group Ende Gelände is now being monitored as a suspect case. The group, which has gained prominence through protests against coal mining, has increasingly intensified its actions "up to sabotage," according to the report. The group's fundamental papers reveal "clear radicalization in terms of the prevailing ideological positions."
Overall, the authorities estimate the left-wing extremist potential at 37,000 (an increase of 500 over 2023). Among them are 11,000 who are violence-oriented. The number of left-wing extremist motivated crimes increased by about ten percent to 4,248 offenses. The increase in violence was even more pronounced, up about 20 percent to 727. The violence against police forces in particular increased significantly.
The threat through spyware, sabotage, disinformation and cyber-attacks has "reached a new dimension," said Faeser. Besides China and Iran, here Russia is particularly in focus. Faeser made it clear: "We will not be intimidated and we will continue to support Ukraine in its freedom fight."
- Thomas Haldenwang highlighted a marked rise in threats, citing the increase in jihadist attacks since Hamas' terrorist assault on Israel and the Middle East conflict's role in fostering antisemitism in Germany.
- The Constitutional Protection Report of 2023 noted a record high of crimes with extremist backgrounds, totaling 39,433, a nearly 4000 increase from the previous year.
- The report warns of complex attack plans, not just simple attacks on soft targets, from radicialized individuals and jihadist groups stemming from threats of Islamism.
- Antisemitism is a common thread among many Islamist groups, according to the report, with propaganda promoting antisemitic thoughts and actions.
- The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel is now classified as an extremist suspect case, with connections to secular Palestinian extremism.
- Right-wing extremism remains the most significant problem, with a 22.4% increase in right-wing extremist criminal and violent acts in comparison to the previous year.
- The Constitutional Protection Agency considers the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party a right-wing extremist suspect case, with numerous AfD functionaries and mandate holders having established structural connections to extreme right-wing actors and organizations.
- The radical climate activist group Ende Gelände is now under surveillance as a suspect case from the left-wing extremist sphere, due to their increasing acts of sabotage and clear signs of ideological radicalization.
- In addition to threats from China, Iran, and Russia, the use of spyware, sabotage, disinformation, and cyber-attacks has escalated to a new level, with Russia being particularly prominent, but Germany remains resolute in supporting Ukraine in its struggle for freedom.
