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A Warning on Anti-Semitism in Germany from Beatrix von Storch: “First the Synagogues will Burn and then the Churches”
By: Fern Sidman
In a recent address to the German Bundestag, Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, delivered a stark warning about the resurgence of anti-Semitism and its broader implications for German society. Her speech, marked by vivid imagery and urgent appeals, drew attention to the necessity for vigilance against rising anti-Semitic sentiments and the potential threats they pose to both Jewish and Christian communities in Germany.
Von Storch’s address was punctuated by the emphatic declaration: “First the synagogues will burn and then the churches. They are burning already.” This statement alludes to historical events, notably the Kristallnacht pogrom of 1938, where synagogues across Germany were set ablaze, signaling the onset of more extensive persecutions. By invoking this imagery, von Storch sought to highlight the perilous trajectory of unchecked anti-Semitism, suggesting that attacks on Jewish institutions could precede broader assaults on Christian establishments and Western values.
Further, von Storch cautioned: “First the Kippah wearers will be beaten, then anyone who will not submit.” This remark illustrates the progression of violence from targeted assaults on identifiable Jewish individuals, symbolized by the wearing of the Kippah, to a more generalized coercion of the populace. Her warning implies that the failure to confront anti-Semitic aggression could embolden perpetrators to expand their targets, ultimately threatening the freedoms of the wider society.
Von Storch’s speech occurred amid heightened concerns about anti-Semitism in Germany which have intensified since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. This alarming escalation in visceral Jew hatred has prompted both governmental and civil society responses aimed at combating anti-Semitism and safeguarding Jewish life in the country.
The Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Anti-Semitism (RIAS) reported a 320% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Germany following the October 7 attacks. Between October 7 and November 7, 2023, RIAS documented 994 incidents, averaging 29 per day, compared to the same period in 2022.
In Berlin, the situation is particularly concerning. RIAS recorded 1,383 anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of 2024, surpassing the total for all of 2023. This equates to seven to eight incidents daily, highlighting the pervasive nature of anti-Semitism in the capital.
The Bundestag had recently passed a motion to combat anti-Semitism, emphasizing the protection and strengthening of Jewish life in the country. This motion, supported by multiple parties, including the AfD, called for closing legal loopholes and exhausting repressive measures, particularly in criminal law and immigration policies, to address anti-Semitic offenses.
The AfD has consistently positioned itself as a defender against anti-Semitism, often attributing its rise to increased immigration from predominantly Muslim countries. In her speech, von Storch reiterated this perspective, highlighting what she described as “imported anti-Semitism” and calling for stringent measures to counteract it. She emphasized the need for systematic deportations, including of imams who propagate hate, reflecting the party’s hardline stance on immigration and integration policies.
Von Storch’s warnings have often been met with criticism emanating from left wing factions in Germany, primarily due to her alleged controversial statements and the AfD’s broader political stance.
Von Storch has been involved in several incidents that have led to accusations of racism and hate speech. In January 2018, von Storch’s Twitter account was temporarily suspended after she accused police of appeasing “barbaric, gang-raping Muslim hordes of men” following a New Year’s greeting tweeted in Arabic by the Cologne police. This statement was widely condemned as Islamophobic by the left wing parties in Germany and led to a police investigation for possible incitement to hatred.
Von Storch has made statements suggesting the use of firearms against migrants attempting to cross German borders illegally. Von Storch’s left wing detractors have said that her remarks are inhumane and indicative of extreme anti-immigrant sentiment.
Left-wing critics also argue that von Storch’s anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric contributes to a broader culture of intolerance, which can also foster anti-Semitic sentiments. Her focus on anti-Semitism within Muslim communities is seen by her political opponents as an attempt to deflect from anti-Semitism present in far-right circles, including within the AfD itself.
This is precisely the reason that von Storch’s address before the German Bundestag on the perils of escalating Jew hatred was intentionally omitted from any real and substantive media coverage. In their campaign to dismiss von Storch’s words as the rantings of a right wing anti-immigrant fanatic, the fascist left in Germany and beyond has once again silenced an inconvenient truth that irks them to no end concerning the genesis of 21st century anti-Semitism Europe.
In response to the escalating threat of anti-Semitism, the German government has implemented several measures:
Legal Prosecution and Protective Measures: The government emphasizes the legal prosecution of antisemitic offenses and has enhanced protective measures for Jewish institutions across Germany.
National Strategy Against Antisemitism: A comprehensive strategy has been adopted to combat antisemitism and promote Jewish life. This includes appointing Dr. Felix Klein as the Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Anti-Semitism, serving as a liaison for federal, state, and civil society measures.
Legislative Actions: The Bundestag passed a resolution reaffirming that organizations or projects spreading anti-Semitism, questioning Israel’s right to exist, or supporting the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement will not receive financial support.
Civil society organizations are also actively addressing the rise in anti-Semitism:
Educational Programs: Initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness about anti-Semitism and Jewish life in Germany have been launched, focusing on historical education and promoting cultural understanding.
Support Networks: Organizations such as RIAS provide support to victims of anti-Semitic incidents and work to document and analyze trends to inform policy and public discourse.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Critics argue that existing laws are not always effectively enforced, and there is a call for more robust action against anti-Semitic hate speech and crimes. Additionally, European liberals are concerned about the potential for increased discrimination against other minority groups, such as Muslims, in the wake of heightened security measures.
Beatrix von Storch’s recent speech in the Bundestag serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of anti-Semitism and the potential dangers it poses to broader societal cohesion. Her cautionary warnings call for renewed vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard not only Jewish communities but also the foundational values of German society.
