Sarah
Nico Beyer | DE | 2025 | German with UT
Contents
In the midst of the strongest tensions between Israel and Iran, Iranian and Jewish students join forces in Düsseldorf to send a joint signal against terror.
History of relations between Israel and Iran
Until the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the state of Iran maintained relatively normal, sometimes even friendly relations with Israel; in some areas, Israeli-Iranian exchange extended into the 1970s. This changed fundamentally with the 1979 revolution: the new Iranian leadership broke off diplomatic relations, began an explicitly anti-Israeli rhetoric and provided political and material support to groups and actors that reject Israel. Since then, the relationship has been characterised by mistrust, open hostility and recurring security tensions (including over Iran's nuclear programme, missile/drone deployments and covert actions). This historical rupture is the basis for today's constellation, in which regional and global conflicts (including proxy conflicts) repeatedly generate new tensions between Tehran and Jerusalem.
Jews in Germany - Facts & Figures
The Jewish community in Germany is small in relation to the total population, yet it is one of the largest in Europe. Estimates put the total at around ~200.000 Jews in Germany; for example 90.000-95.000 of them are organised in the official communities. The community is heterogeneous. It is made up of immigrants (especially from the former Soviet Union), German-Jewish families and a wide range of religious movements (from orthodox to liberal). The „Community barometer“ of the Central Council provides current insights into the self-image, religiosity and sense of security of the community members.
Being Jewish today - Increased danger in the public display of Jewish identity
Since 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in the Middle East, the threat situation for Jews in Germany has worsened significantly. Numerous monitoring organisations and government reports document a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents (threats, insults, vandalism, sometimes also physical attacks) - there was already a marked increase in 2023, and in 2024 the numbers remained at a high level or continued to rise in some cases. In the public perception and in statements by those affected, it is often emphasised that the open display of Jewish symbols (e.g. kippah, Israel flag) has been associated with even greater personal insecurity since 2023 than was already the case before; many Jews report increased pressure to be safe and to retreat.
Director: Nico Beyer
Camera: Christoph Wißing
Editing: Michael Mieke
Sound: Mayermal
Country: Germany
© 2025 JEWLIF
Over 60sec.mentsh
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60secs.mentsh is a documentary film series that visualises Jewish life in Europe as a natural and enriching part of our society.
In collaboration with the renowned filmmaker Nico Beyer, we have developed 60sec.mentsh, a Europe-wide documentary film series that shows Jewish life in all its facets. We tell authentic stories of people who move, connect and challenge prejudices - in 60 seconds.
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