Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier has publicly acknowledged a systemic failure by both the federal government and state authorities to adequately address the growing issue of imported antisemitism in recent years. In an interview with “Focus” magazine, Maier conceded that a more proactive approach, involving intensified observation and engagement with migrant communities exhibiting antisemitic tendencies, was critically lacking.
Maier’s admission represents a significant shift in tone, moving away from previous assumptions that societal integration would naturally mitigate antisemitic sentiments. He explained that a prevailing optimism led officials to believe that individuals fleeing oppressive regimes would inherently value the freedoms afforded by German society, embracing inclusivity and tolerance. This optimism, he now characterizes as misplaced, fostered a belief that challenges to Jewish life, including the conflation of Jewish identity with Israeli government policies, would resolve themselves.
“We were optimistic – perhaps overly so” Maier stated, adding that a more rigorous and discerning approach, coupled with adequate resource allocation, would have been beneficial. The acknowledgement comes amid rising concerns over online hate speech and street-level harassment targeting Jewish communities.
Looking ahead, Maier announced that the upcoming Interior Ministers’ Conference in Bremen in December will prioritize a more robust and consistent response to the surge in antisemitism. He emphasized the necessity for the rule of law to be rigorously enforced, demanding swift investigation and prosecution of hate crimes targeting Jewish individuals.
Furthermore, in a move likely to provoke significant political debate, Maier intends to propose a formal requirement of unequivocally affirming the existence of the State of Israel as a prerequisite for German citizenship. This initiative signals a hardening stance on national identity and integration policies, reflecting a growing recognition that past approaches have failed to stem the tide of imported antisemitism and demanding a more assertive role for the state in safeguarding Jewish life and upholding German values. The proposal is expected to be met with resistance from factions within the governing coalition and beyond, highlighting the deeply divisive nature of the issue and the potential for significant policy clashes.
