New project to combat anti-Semitism starts at Viadrina!

New project to combat anti-Semitism starts at Viadrina!

On July 16, 2025, the “Seeing Antisemitism Through Law” (SATL) project was officially presented at the European University Viadrina. This ambitious project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and aims to analyze the legal fight against anti-Semitism in Germany, France, Poland, the United Kingdom and Ukraine since 1945. It is led by a team of experienced researchers, consisting of Dr. Reut Paz, Prof. Dr. Thilo Marauhn and Prof. Dr. Benjamin Lahusen.

A central element of the project is the creation of a database that includes almost 1,500 documented cases of anti-Semitism from the countries listed. New in the current research phase is the inclusion of court cases from Ukraine, which poses particular challenges given the ongoing war. Dr. Reut Paz also explains that access to many court files is often difficult because many documents are blocked.

Aims and challenges of anti-Semitism research

The SATL project poses a definitional challenge, as anti-Semitism is not only a legal but also a social phenomenon. A separate definition was developed that includes four categories: Israel-related anti-Semitism, religious anti-Semitism, historical anti-Semitism and conspiratorial anti-Semitism. The use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition was deliberately excluded as it was considered too new and controversial.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR), which promotes research projects to combat anti-Semitism in Germany and Europe, pursues similar goals. The funding aims to deepen the understanding of anti-Semitism and strengthen the rights of those who suffer from anti-Semitic incidents. In the first funding phase, ten research groups were set up to deal with topics such as the prevention of anti-Semitism in the education sector and the legal handling of anti-Semitic incidents.

Research results and social implications

According to studies, anti-Semitic attitudes vary in different countries; In Germany and France, agreement with anti-Semitic stereotypes was around 16 to 17 percent between 2016 and 2018. What is striking is the contradiction between falling poll numbers on anti-Semitism and an increase in anti-Semitic crimes, especially in the right-wing radical milieu. Experts describe this increase as a syndrome of a need for simple explanations of the world and self-assurance.

The complexity of anti-Semitism is also discussed in research. Social scientist Theodor W. Adorno described anti-Semitism in the 1950s as “the rumor about the Jews.” Recent studies make it clear that anti-Semitism is not only rooted in old prejudices, but is shaped by social dynamics and changing perceptions. The influence of social radicalization, particularly on the Internet, can be seen as a driving force for the resurgence of anti-Semitic sentiment.

In view of the growing number of anti-Semitic incidents, the question of social responsibility arises: the fight against anti-Semitism is not only the task of the constitutional state, but also of civil society and science. These combined efforts are crucial for strengthening the reality of Jewish life in Germany and Europe and for protecting diverse identities.

In summary, ongoing research in this area shows that anti-Semitism is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that must also be addressed through political and social action. The coming years will be crucial for making progress in understanding and combating anti-Semitism.

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