The Cause with the Jews (2021)
In recent years, resentments and hatred towards Jews have become increasingly aggressive, louder and more brutal. What is at the roots of this development? Statistics show an extreme rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany but also worldwide. Berlin, for example, has become the city with the highest number of such attacks in Europe. Whether it’s from the left or the right, among Muslims or simply in normal everyday life - Jews and Jewish institutions are increasingly being threatened and violently assaulted in this country. In this series by Richard C. Schneider, experts and scientists, as well as those affected, attempt to explain the intentional or unintentional mechanisms of anti-Jewish hostility on the basis of historical, social and ideological developments.
Seasons & Episode
Anti-Semitism is frowned upon among left-wing people. They say they have learned from history. However, repressed anti-Jewish sentiments can also be found within this group when it comes to dealing with the Jewish state. Israel becomes a projection screen for anti-Jewish feelings.
Radicalized or Islamist Muslims protest against Israel in Germany. In this, Israelis and German Jews are often woven together, Jewish institutions and Jewish Germans repeatedly become the target of attacks. The reasons for this can be found in ideological and partly theological developments within the Islamic world.
Right-wing anti-Semitism has become most obvious – once again – at the most recent attack in Halle in 2019. In addition, there are revisionist approaches by right-wing groups to reinterpret Nazi history based on the desire to create a different kind of Germany. Right-wing extremist thinking can also be found again and again in public institutions that don’t want to or are unable to recognize anti-Semitic tendencies.
"Cryptic" forms of anti-Jewish sentiments seem to manifest themselves in everyday life: whether it’s the yellow star badge with the word “unvaccinated” on it among the so-called "Querdenker" scene, whether it’s within cultural life or on social media - Jews are often spoken about in "codes" that are nevertheless clear and distinct. Moreover, anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish people and institutions have become an almost daily event by now.
