Language:
German
Year of publication:
1992
Titel der Quelle:
Jahrbuch für Antisemitismusforschung
Angaben zur Quelle:
1 (1992) 13-41
Keywords:
Antisemitism History 1945-
Abstract:
Despite official condemnation of antisemitism in West Germany, private prejudice remains widespread, though public opinion polls show a significant decrease since the high of 34-37% in the early 1950s. However, new stereotypes have arisen and traditional stereotypes appear in new contexts: resentment at reparations payments reinforce the claim of Jewish cupidity, and Jewish refusal to forgive Germany's past fosters antisemitism "because of" (not in spite of) Auschwitz. Following a failure of public bodies in the immediate postwar years to acknowledge Germany's guilt toward the Jews, Adenauer exonerated the majority of Germans in his 1951 Bundestag speech. Later politicians tended to attribute antisemitism to fringe groups and to take measures against it mainly when there was a rise in antisemitic incidents. Left-of-center parties have been stronger in demanding action against antisemitism and the punishment of war criminals, in spite of their problematic attitude to the State of Israel since the 1970s.
Note:
Another version appeared in "Vorurteil und Völkermord" (1997).
URL:
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