Brandenburg's Antisemitism Commissioner Warns of Creeping Normalization of Anti-Jewish Hatred

Figures: 534 Suspected Cases in One Year

Büttner described that antisemitism had become everyday life for many those affected – in schools, public authorities, and political debates. In his exact words, he said: "Antisemitismus sei für viele Betroffene Alltag - in Schulen, Behörden und politischen Debatten". The burden becomes particularly clear in the accounts of Jewish families who worry about their safety.

One mother had expressed to him her concern for her own child, Büttner said. She stated: "Ich würde mir wünschen, dass mein Sohn einmal nicht daran denken muss, dass er jüdisch ist". This statement stands as representative of the experiences of many families in the state.

Impact on Jewish Families

Büttner also attributed the worsening to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, the situation in Brandenburg has noticeably deteriorated. Anti-Jewish hatred has become "lauter, offener und selbstverständlicher", in Büttner's exact words. The boundaries of what is socially acceptable to say have shifted.

In his report, the Commissioner speaks of a "schleichende Normalisierung" of hatred against Jewish people. Büttner used this formulation repeatedly to describe the gradual but steady change in how antisemitic statements and attacks are dealt with.

Arson Attack and Investigations

A personal turning point was an arson attack on the private property of the Antisemitism Commissioner in January of this year. The Prosecutor General's Office is investigating two acquaintances of Büttner in the case, with whom he had repeated contact since 2019 and with whom he had co-founded a company. Investigators have so far not commented on a motive.

Büttner advocated not dismissing antisemitism as a marginal issue, but understanding it as a task for society as a whole. His office sees itself as a point of contact for those affected and as an intermediary vis-à-vis schools, administration, and civil society. The figures presented show that the demand for counseling and support remains high.

Büttner's Mandate and Political Background

Looking ahead to the coming years, Büttner announced that he would continue to advocate for education, prevention, and consistent prosecution. This also includes further strengthening the work of the Specialist Office for Antisemitism Brandenburg and improving the documentation of incidents.

Brandenburg newly established the position of an Antisemitism Commissioner in 2024. Büttner, a former politician of the party Die Linke who has since left the party, took on the office and is thus one of the first officeholders in a German federal state with such a focus.