Attitudes Toward Germany

Jewish opinions of Germany have improved dramatically when compared to a major survey done in 1991. Shortly after German reunification, Jews in Israel and the United States felt Germans continued to hold anti-Semitic beliefs and that the country was not on a stable democratic footing.

Those perceptions, however, have changed significantly during the past 15 years, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation study, which was released Sunday.

Increase in favorable opinion

A majority of Israelis, 57 percent, now have a favorable opinion of Germany, an increase of 48 percent since a similar poll was conducted in 1991. More than 70 percent of American Jews see Germany favorably, according to the Bertelsmann study.

According to the 1991 survey nearly 80 percent of Israelis felt Germany was endangered by extremist groups, a feeling now shared by 46 percent of those surveyed.

During the same time, there's been an increase in the number of Germans who feel shame for the crimes committed against the Jewish people and who are unwilling to ignore the past and "move on," according to the report.

Although nearly half of Jews in Israel and the US still suspect a majority of Germans hold anti-Semitic beliefs, the survey found that these beliefs are on the wane in Germany.

"It is quite apparent that the centers of the two societies now have a much more positive attitude towards one another than they did in the early 90s," Werner Weidenfeld, executive board member at the Bertelsmann Foundation, said in a statement. "Overall the ways Germans and Israelis perceive one another have become a lot less controversial and much more relaxed."

In Israel, only 9 percent believe reconciliation with Germany remains impossible, down from 69 percent in 1991.

Political views differ

The survey, however, showed a difference of opinion between Jews and Germans when it comes to dealing with current events.

Three of four Israelis polled were in favor of the deployment of German Bundeswehr forces to the coast of Lebanon. In contrast, only 49 percent of Germans support the deployment, where German boats patrol as part of international efforts to stop weapons from being smuggled to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Likewise, 80 percent of Israelis and 72 percent of American Jews surveyed support a military strike against Iran if the country is found to have built an atomic bomb. Only 32 percent of Germans consider that level of military action justified.

"With their different historical memories, but also with their completely different political realities, Germans and Israelis have completely different political cultures," said Stephan Vopel, project director at the Bertelsmann Foundation. "This gives rise to strong disparities in formulating ways to deal with conflicts. Israelis tend to subscribe to the maxim 'never again victims,' the Germans' dictum after World War II has been 'never again war.'"