German Chancellor Warns Antisemitism Is Everywhere, 88 Years After Kristallnacht

Eighty-eight years after Kristallnacht, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that the fight against antisemitism has become a defining test for his country. Speaking at a synagogue in Munich on Monday, Merz emphasized that Germany's historical responsibility demands that it protect Jewish communities amid a sharp rise in antisemitism. According to the latest annual report by RIAS, an organization that monitors antisemitic incidents in Germany, 8,725 incidents were recorded in 2025, more than three times the number reported in 2022. That amounts to nearly 24 incidents every day, Reuters reported, with RIAS describing the scale of the increase as "dramatic."

Merz condemned the growing need for extensive security at Jewish institutions, describing the sight of synagogues and kindergartens protected by bulletproof glass and armed police officers as "appalling." Warning that antisemitism has become pervasive, he declared: "We see and hear it on our streets, in our towns and cities, in the towns and cities of our European neighbors and around the world, in parliaments, clubs and schools. Antisemitism is everywhere."

Calling for Germany to translate the lessons of its past into meaningful action, Merz stated: "And so this is now the moment of truth for the 'Never Again' that we invoke so often." He pledged to protect Jewish life in Germany and beyond, emphasizing that support for Israel and its security remains "part of our historical responsibility."

His remarks were echoed by Ilse Aigner, president of the Bavarian state parliament, who described the insecurity experienced by Jews in Germany as "a disgrace to our country." Earlier, Merz announced Aigner as the conservatives' candidate for the German presidency. She is considered a strong contender to become the first woman to hold the office.