Developing: Anti-Semitic offenses increase in Baden-Württemberg following Hamas assault

Developing: Anti-Semitic offenses increase in Baden-Württemberg following Hamas assault

"The barbaric and merciless terrorist act by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023 has shown how vulnerable Jewish lives are," stated Strobl. "The consequences are also felt here in our country."

Antisemitism is a major aspect of far-right extremism. It also emerges in various other extremist areas. It is present in all Islamist currents. By targeting the politics and existence of Israel through anti-Zionism, it has a strong political element.

Furthermore, there is a conspiracy theory widespread among the so-called Reichsburger. "The events demonstrate that antisemitism in Germany and Baden-Würrtemberg has taken on multiple forms and appearances," noted Strobl. "We all have the duty to fight back against antisemitism whenever and however it arises."

Strobl elaborated that democracy is experiencing immense pressure. The threats come from various directions - from Reichsburger, right- or left-wing extremists, conspiracy theories, religious fanaticism, and espionage activities of foreign states.

As per the observations of the Baden-Württemberg Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the number of followers of the Reichsburger movement has increased to around 4000, from 3800 the year before. Around 10% of this group's followers are considered violent.

In the foreign-oriented extremism, the number of followers increased from 4890 to 5150. The Turkish-right-wing extremist scene in particular experienced numerical growth, possibly due to a more intense investigation by the Baden-Württemberg Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The personnel resources of this group have grown by 200 to 2750.

Read also:

1. In response to the Hamas attack on Israel, the CDU leader in Baden-Württemberg, Thomas Strobl, expressed concern about the increase in antisemitic offenses in the region.
2. Strobl highlighted that antisemitism is not only a problem in far-right extremist circles but is also found in various other extremist areas and Islamist currents, often disguised as anti-Zionism.
3. Following the Hamas attack, Strobl urged everyone to fight back against antisemitism, emphasizing that democracy is under immense pressure from various threats, including antisemitic offenses.
4. According to the Baden-Württemberg Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the number of followers of the Reichsburger movement, which is known for promoting antisemitic beliefs, has increased to around 4000, with around 10% of its followers considered violent.
5. In a disturbing trend, the Turkish-right-wing extremist scene in Baden-Württemberg has also witnessed an increase in followers, potentially due to a more intense investigation by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
6. The Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitic offenses in Baden-Württemberg have underscored the need for increased efforts to combat criminal offenses related to right-wing extremism and antisemitism in the region.

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