Germany’s Chancellor Merz Warns of “Imported” Antisemitism Amid Debate Over Migration

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed growing concern over rising antisemitism in Germany during a Fox News interview following his recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump. He stated directly: “We have a kind of imported antisemitism with this big number of migrants we have had in the last ten years,” calling it a “terrible challenge” for the nation .

Merz linked the uptick in antisemitic incidents to the country’s migration trends over the past decade—a period marked notably by Germany accepting hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers. His comments come as his government implements a stringent immigration policy that includes returning undocumented migrants at the border, though critics argue this may contravene EU law .

The chancellor’s remarks touched off a broader debate among German policymakers and civil society. Critics suggest that branding antisemitism as “imported” risks oversimplifying the issue and obscuring its complex roots. Data from anti-antisemitism watchdogs reveal that hostility toward Jews has deep historical foundations in Germany—raising questions about the extent to which new migrant communities may be linked to the trend .

Despite the controversy, Merz doubled down on his position, stating that his government is engaged in concerted efforts to reduce antisemitic incidents. He also reaffirmed the necessity of tough immigration measures to prevent societal tensions, arguing that Germany needs to "maintain national order" amid demographic pressure.

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