To combat antisemitism in Germany, the Ambassador of Israel, Ron Prosor, suggests mandatory educational visits to former concentration camp memorial sites, alongside stricter legislation. According to Prosor’s statements to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” knowledge about the past concentration camps and the Holocaust is crucial, particularly for many children with Muslim migrant backgrounds. He recounted that during his visits to Arab countries, he was initially confronted with prejudices against Jews and Israel, but understanding visibly improved over time. Because such encounters have a positive impact, they should happen much more frequently within Germany as well.
However, Prosor argues that the only truly effective way to combat antisemitism is through consistent legislation. Specifically, he calls for legally enshrining the “working definition of antisemitism” provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an organization established in 1998. This definition clarifies that demonizing Israel or denying its right to exist does not constitute legitimate criticism, but rather a modern form of antisemitism. He asserted that only with such a binding framework can authorities and the judiciary take genuine action against it.
He observed that antisemitism has once again become acceptable in German society. Prosor issued a warning, stating that someone saying “don’t buy from Israel” is essentially saying “don’t buy from Jews”. He identified three forms of antisemitism currently present in Germany. He believes the state is equipped to handle antisemitism linked to the far-right, both politically and legally. However, he warned that “antisemitism from the Muslim world is dangerous because it undermines democratic order like a Trojan horse. But the Jews are not alone in this fight”.
He pointed to left-wing antisemitism as the most difficult to combat because it operates on “the thin line between freedom of speech and freedom of incitement”. He noted that this boundary is being crossed daily, especially noticeable in academic and cultural circles where antisemitism is often disguised beneath a façade of education, moral superiority, and political correctness.