Katharina von Schnurbein took office on Wednesday as the new Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism. The former antisemitism coordinator of the European Commission succeeds Felix Klein, who left the post after eight years at the end of August to become Germany’s ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris.
The federal government had already announced the appointment of the political scientist on October 14. Von Schnurbein had been responsible at the European Commission since 2015 for combating antisemitism and promoting Jewish life. She now takes on this role at the federal level at a time when Jewish communities in Germany are increasingly reporting hostility and threats.
As Deutschlandfunk reported on Wednesday, the new commissioner painted a troubling picture of the current situation in an interview with the “Rheinische Post.” She said Germany finds itself in a situation regarding antisemitism that has probably not existed since the Shoah. Hatred of Jews is now being openly spread again, without those responsible fearing any serious consequences.
Von Schnurbein stressed that antisemitism must be combated regardless of its political origins. She pointed to far-right, far-left and Islamist currents which, despite their differing worldviews, find common ground in anti-Zionism and antisemitism.
Her long-term goal is to make Jewish life in Germany a matter of course once again. Jewish children must not be subjected to hostility in school playgrounds, and the word “Jew” must not be used as a slur. It must also become possible to attend Jewish schools without relying on police protection and bulletproof glass.
Jewish organisations welcome the appointment
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, explicitly welcomed von Schnurbein’s appointment. In an official statement dated October 14, he said the new commissioner was exceptionally well connected internationally and enjoyed great respect within the Jewish community.
Schuster also referred to developments since the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023. Following the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, an increasing normalisation of hatred towards Jews has since been observed. This frequently occurs under the guise of anti-Zionism.
Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, Schuster also called for the existing criminal law provisions applicable to antisemitically motivated offences, including incitement to hatred and bodily harm, to be applied more consistently.
Menachem Margolin, Chairman of the European Jewish Association (EJA), also welcomed the assumption of office. Few people know Europe’s Jewish communities as well as von Schnurbein, he stated on the platform X. Particularly in the current situation, this experience is especially important.
Congratulations to @kschnurbein on taking office today as Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Jewish Life and the Fight against Antisemitism. Few people know Europe’s Jewish communities as well as she does, and few moments have needed that experience more. We look forward to working together. https://t.co/r2HJReB9Gh
— Rabbi Menachem Margolin (@MargolinRabbi) October 28, 2026
The new commissioner also wants to give Germany a stronger role in combating antisemitism at the European level. The country must become a driving force within Europe in this regard.
The office of the Federal Government’s Antisemitism Commissioner was established in 2018 and is based at the Federal Ministry of the Interior. In addition to combating antisemitic attitudes and crimes, promoting Jewish life in Germany is also among its core responsibilities.
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