The now published full-length version of the study Germany and Israel Today: Between Stability and Tension deepens the analysis of mutual perceptions, adds new findings on democracy, bilateral relations and the fight against antisemitism, and places these developments more comprehensively in their social and political context. The study is based on a representative dual-country survey of 1,346 people in Germany and 1,367 people in Israel, conducted between February 24 and March 25, 2025.
Despite the historical bond and the officially proclaimed friendship between Germany and Israel, the results of the representative survey show that mutual perceptions are drifting apart. Sixty percent of Israelis have a good or very good image of the Federal Republic of Germany. In Germany, by contrast, only 36 percent express a positive opinion of Israel, while 38 percent view Israel negatively – a noticeable shift in public sentiment compared with the last survey in 2021, when 46 percent still had a positive view of Israel.
This development is also reflected in the assessment of the respective governments: While almost 60 percent of Germans have a negative view of the current Israeli government, only 17 percent of Israelis express a negative view of the German federal government.
Democracy remains a shared foundation – but satisfaction is declining
The study shows that democracy continues to enjoy broad support in both societies: 86 percent of Germans and 83 percent of Israelis agree with the statement that democracy is the best form of government. Satisfaction with democracy as it is practiced, however, is significantly lower. In Germany, 57 percent of respondents say they are satisfied with democracy as it exists in their country; in Israel, this figure is only 44 percent.
This makes clear that Germany and Israel continue to share a fundamental democratic self-understanding. At the same time, social tensions, political polarization and doubts about the practical functioning of democratic order are increasing in both countries.
Remembrance of the Holocaust continues to be considered important
The survey also makes clear that understandings of Germany’s historical responsibility differ significantly. In Israel, 64 percent of respondents see Germany as bearing a special responsibility – both for the Jewish people and for the State of Israel. In Germany, by contrast, only around one third agree that Germany has a responsibility toward the Jewish people, and only one quarter recognize a special obligation toward the State of Israel.
Nevertheless, remembrance of the Shoah remains an important point of reference in public consciousness: 48 percent of Germans support the view that remembrance of the Holocaust should continue to play a role in present and future politics – five percentage points more than in 2021. At the same time, the share of those who call for drawing a line under the past has declined slightly, by four percentage points, to 45 percent.
The special status of the relationship is assessed differently
The study also shows that it is not only mutual perceptions that differ significantly, but also expectations regarding German-Israeli relations. While 77 percent of Israelis rate the relationship between the two countries as good, only 51 percent of Germans do so. The difference is even more pronounced when respondents are asked whether relations with Israel should have a special status for Germany compared with relations with other countries: 75 percent of Israelis say yes, compared with only 29 percent of Germans.
This shows that the special relationship between Germany and Israel is expected and demanded much more strongly in Israel than among the German population. In Germany, historical responsibility remains an important point of reference, but it is less often translated into a concrete special responsibility toward Israel.
“Combating antisemitism in all its manifestations”
The findings on the prevalence of antisemitic attitudes in Germany are troubling. Classical antisemitism, measured by agreement with the statement “Jews have too much influence in the world,” stands at 27 percent, the highest level in years. Particularly striking is the increase among young men under 40, where agreement reaches 36 percent. Israel-related antisemitism has also increased significantly: 29 percent of respondents agree that Israeli policy makes Jews increasingly less likeable to them, compared with 21 percent in 2021. Here too, agreement among those under 40 rose sharply, from 14 to 28 percent. Educational background plays a central role: Respondents with lower levels of formal education agree significantly more often with both classical and Israel-related antisemitic statements.
The full-length version also makes clear that antisemitism must be understood not only as a problem of attitudes, but also as a problem of perception and action. While 41 percent of respondents in Germany see antisemitism as a fairly large or very large problem, the figure in Israel is 54 percent. At the same time, assessments differ as to whether German policymakers are doing enough to combat antisemitic attitudes and to protect Jews. In Germany, a relative majority considers the existing measures sufficient; in Israel, almost half of respondents expect stronger engagement from German policymakers.
“Antisemitism in Germany is not a marginal phenomenon, but manifests itself in different social milieus and political camps. The rise in antisemitic attitudes among younger people is particularly worrying, as their levels are now approaching those of the other age groups. The boundaries between legitimate criticism of Israel and Israel-related antisemitism are sometimes fluid. That is why it is important to strengthen civic education, effectively protect Jewish life, and recognize and resolutely combat antisemitism in all its manifestations,” says Stephan Vopel, Israel expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Israelis would like to see more intensive cooperation, while Germans are more reserved
Respondents in the two countries assess the nature and extent of cooperation between Germany and Israel very differently. In Germany, 40 percent consider the current level of cooperation sufficient, while only 24 percent would like to see stronger cooperation. In Israel, by contrast, 68 percent support an intensification of bilateral relations. Respondents in both countries regard political cooperation between the governments as particularly important. While Israelis also emphasize military and economic cooperation, Germans place greater value on exchange in science, research and civil society.
These differing priorities show that the two societies view the German-Israeli partnership from different perspectives: In Germany, dialogue, remembrance, science and civil society remain central. In Israel, expectations regarding cooperation are more strongly focused on security policy and economic interests.
“Deep ties give rise to a duty of critical engagement”
According to the Bertelsmann Stiftung, the survey data show that relations between Germany and Israel are highly complex and therefore require a more factual and reflective approach than ever before. On the basis of shared democratic values, historical responsibility and a realistic assessment of current political tensions, the following priorities should be pursued:
Strengthening democratic understanding: Broad support for democracy in both countries is an important foundation for the relationship. It must be strengthened through civic education, societal dialogue and an open engagement with polarization and loss of trust.
Practicing critical solidarity with Israel: Israel’s right to exist and its security should remain non-negotiable for the Federal Republic of Germany. At the same time, genuine partnership requires the ability to engage in open and critical dialogue.
Effectively combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish life: The findings show that antisemitic attitudes, experiences of discrimination and perceptions of insecurity must be taken seriously. Prevention, protective measures and civic education must be considered together.
Expanding civil society exchange: Direct encounters and cooperation in education, science and culture foster mutual understanding and trust.
Promoting a clear European Middle East policy: Germany should advocate a policy toward Israel and Palestine that is based on international law and human rights while also being realistic in security policy terms.
Stephan Vopel emphasizes: “The much-cited formula that Israel’s security is part of Germany’s reason of state must be made concrete through a stance of critical solidarity. This means that Israel’s right to exist and its security are not negotiable. At the same time, this must not mean remaining silent about negative developments in Israeli domestic or foreign policy. Deep ties give rise to a duty of critical engagement.”
