How widespread are antisemitic attitudes among Muslims in Germany, and what factors shape them? A recent DSS study conducted by a research team around DSS scientists Marcus Eisentraut and Eldad Davidov offers nuanced insights into the relationship between individual characteristics and agreement with antisemitic statements. The Researchers - Christian S. Czymara (Goethe University Frankfurt), Marcus Eisentraut and Eldad Davidov (Department of Sociology and Social Psychology, WiSo Faculty, University of Cologne), Pascal Kolkwitz-Anstötz (GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences) and Peter Schmidt (Justus Liebig University Giessen) analysed data from approximately 8,500 respondents who took part in the 2020 Integration Barometer.

The findings reveal notable differences in agreement with antisemitic statements, particularly regarding educational background, religiosity and migration history.

Muslim respondents who identified as highly religious and had lower levels of formal education more frequently agreed with classical antisemitic statements. In contrast, individuals from the same religious group with higher levels of education or lower degrees of religiosity showed significantly less agreement. Those who described themselves as "not very religious" displayed attitudes that differed little from those of Christian or non-religious respondents.

Family background also emerged as a relevant factor. Participants with roots in Turkey or the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) reported higher levels of agreement with antisemitic statements on average.

The researchers also observed that attitudes do not necessarily change over time. Christian migrants tended to express more moderate views the longer they had lived in Germany. This pattern did not appear among Muslim respondents.

The study demonstrates that neither origin nor religion alone sufficiently explains antisemitic attitudes. Instead, individual factors such as education and religiosity play a central role. These findings highlight key entry points for preventive efforts that focus on education, dialogue and targeted engagement.

This research provides a well-founded basis for social dialogue on antisemitism and supports the development of effective and thoughtful prevention strategies.

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