Antisemitism is increasingly spreading on the internet, according to the “Rheinische Post,” which cited the Federal Association of Research and Information Centers on Antisemitism (RIAS). Benjamin Steinitz, the head of the association, told the newspaper that these threats and hostile actions are limiting Jewish people’s ability to participate fully on online platforms. He strongly criticized the current regulations, noting that they are sometimes not enforced or prove insufficient. He asserted that content moderation often suffers from deficiencies, and the protection of those affected is not adequately carried out.
Steinitz called on the Federal Government to take a more decisive role at the EU level in enforcing existing regulations, such as the Digital Services Act. “We require a coordinated approach from politicians and platforms to make digital spaces safer,” he stated. Furthermore, he urged that civil society expertise, specifically in recognizing antisemitism online and reporting it to platforms, needs dedicated funding.
According to the RIAS, more than a quarter of all antisemitic incidents online were registered last year. In 2025, this figure increased to 27 percent, up from 23 percent the previous year. This suggests that inhibitions are diminishing online; for instance, 43 percent of all threats were documented in 2025. Reports indicate that assailants frequently use encrypted messages-such as specific emojis or symbols understood in certain online communities as antisemitic codes. Note that the RIAS only registers incidents where individuals or institutions are directly insulted, threatened, or antagonized via email, chat, or in their own comment sections.
The complete annual report, “Antisemitic Incidents in Germany,” is scheduled to be presented in Berlin on Wednesday. RIAS serves as the umbrella organization for the network of similar nationwide reporting and documentation centers.
