From Chants to Change German Soccer's Unique Response to Antisemitism Post-October 7

Key Findings:

The paper examines the dual narrative of Jewish life and antisemitism in German soccer, focusing on the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Jewish sports organizations like TuS Makkabi Berlin. 

The sport’s tribal nature, which emphasizes regional pride and tradition, often fosters “us vs. them” hostility, where Jewish identity is viewed as foreign. This is exacerbated by romanticized notions of localism and authenticity, fueling stereotypes that link Jews to globalization and capitalism. Soccer’s culture of traditional masculinity and territorial pride intensifies these exclusionary behaviors, making minorities frequent targets.

In August 2023, Makkabi Berlin became the first Jewish club to play in the German national cup (DFB-Pokal), a symbolic achievement in light of the historical banning of Jewish clubs under Nazi rule. Despite this progress, antisemitic attacks remain a persistent reality, manifesting through slurs, violence, and chants that challenge the inclusivity of Jewish identity in the soccer world.

The study identifies several forms of antisemitism within German soccer: (1) Far-right antisemitism, which is rooted in neo-Nazi ideology; (2) Classical antisemitism, which involves stereotypes about Jewish wealth and power; (3) Secondary antisemitism, which shifts guilt for the Holocaust onto Jews, expresses resentment towards Jews for not “moving on,” and often aligns with anti-Israel rhetoric.

However, following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks, German soccer witnessed a surprising shift. Despite a rise in antisemitic incidents across Germany, soccer clubs and fans, including those from clubs like Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, expressed strong solidarity with Israel and Jewish victims. Clubs organized tributes and campaigns, and some players faced criticism for controversial social media posts. This shift in attitude is seen as a result of decades of fan activism and institutional changes that have actively worked to combat discrimination.