Why Germans fear terrorist attacks as Israel bombards Gaza

 

BERLIN – A majority of Germans fear that the fighting in Gaza could lead to major terrorist attacks in Germany, a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of dpa found, revealing how the war between Israel and Hamas is reverberating beyond the Middle East.

The survey conducted by the opinion research institute found 59% of respondents consider attacks with many casualties to be very or somewhat likely. In contrast, 27% believe that terrorist attacks in Germany are very or somewhat unlikely.

Of the possible consequences of the Gaza war on Germany, the chance of terrorist attacks are what 25% worry about most. Some 26% say their main fear is that more refugees from the Middle East will arrive.

Some 17% cite growing anti-Semitism in Germany as their main concern. This is followed by the deterioration of relations with countries with Muslim-majority populations (10%), fear of rising energy prices (8%) and growing hostility towards Muslims (6%).

The German government’s stance toward the war is seen as balanced by 39% of those questioned. In contrast, 32% believe that the government is too strongly in favour of Israel; 7% say Berlin is siding too much with the Palestinians.

The results are based on an online survey in which 2,123 respondents across Germany took part between November 3 and 7, 2023. The results were weighted and are representative of the German population aged 18 and over.

Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, which according to the latest estimates left around 1,200 people dead, the German government assured Israel of its full solidarity and emphasized the country’s right to self-defence.

Unlike some other European countries, Germany has not yet criticized or called for a halt to the attacks by the Israeli armed forces in the Gaza Strip, in which many civilians were also killed. 

The Hamas-run Health Ministry says Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 11,000 people so far.

German authorities have banned or harshly criticized pro-Palestinian protests, citing security fears and anti-Semitic hate speech. This has fuelled free speech concerns and stoked the anger of some in the country’s Arab immigrant communities.