Why in News:

• Germany’s government commissioner on anti-Semitism has warned Jews about the potential dangers of wearing the traditional kippah cap in the face of rising anti-Jewish attacks

Details:

• Anti-Semitic crimes rose 20% in Germany last year, according to Interior Ministry data.
• Proliferation of online platforms that allow people to express extremist views without inhibition while hiding behind screens had fostered the rise in cases.
• While the far-right was to blame for the vast majority of anti-Semitic crime, it was apparent that some Muslims were also influenced by watching certain television channels “which transmit a dreadful image of Israel and Jews”.

Antisemitism

• Antisemitism is hostility to, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews.
• A person who holds such positions is called an antisemite. Antisemitism is generally considered to be a form of racism.

Kippah

• A kippah is a brimless cap, usually made of cloth, worn by male Jews to fulfill the customary requirement held by Orthodox halachic authorities that the head be covered.