Möglichkeitsräume für Antisemitismus? Zur Öffnung politisch-kultureller Gelegenheitsstrukturen während der Eskalationsphasen des „Nahostkonflikts“

This article examines the extent to which the “Middle East conflict” affects the sense of security among Jews living in Germany. Drawing on the theoretical framework of political–cultural opportunity structures, we investigated whether the sense of security related to the “Middle East conflict” depends on how open or closed these structures are perceived by those (potentially) affected. Our findings indicate that the more favorable the conditions for antisemitic mobilization appear, the more negatively the “Middle East conflict” impacts the local Jewish community, due to the perception that antisemitic incidents are not adequately addressed and legally prosecuted. Using data from an online survey of Jews living in Germany (n = 295), we demonstrate that, in particular, the fear that public opinion toward Jews in Germany is closely linked to the so-called Middle East conflict contributes to a heightened sense of threat related to the conflict. Other statistically significant correlates concern distrust in the ability of courts and the media to respond appropriately to antisemitism.