The proposal comes as Germany faces a sharp rise in antisemitism. According to the Bundesrat, antisemitic incidents increased from 1,957 in 2020 to 8,627 in 2024. Lawmakers said some protests related to the Israel-Hamas war have gone beyond criticism of Israeli government policy and instead questioned Israel’s legitimacy as a sovereign state.
Under the proposed law, anyone who publicly denies Israel’s right to exist or calls for the country’s elimination could face criminal penalties if those statements are capable of promoting antisemitic hatred or violence. The legislation does not ban criticism of Israeli government policies, and existing legal protections for academic research and artistic expression would remain in place.
Israel’s Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, welcomed the move, saying it sends a clear message that antisemitic incitement and calls for Israel’s destruction will have consequences. German lawmakers argued that protecting Israel’s right to exist is closely tied to Germany’s responsibility after the Holocaust and its commitment to preventing antisemitism.
If approved by the Bundestag, the legislation would become one of Germany’s strongest legal measures against public calls for eliminating the State of Israel.