Hamas’ attack on Israel also has consequences in Germany. Interior Minister Faeser bans the Palestinian organization and another network. Anyone who gets involved there must expect consequences.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) has banned the activities of the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas and the Samidoun network in Germany. The German branch of the pro-Palestinian Samidoun is also being dissolved. She announced this in Berlin.
“The terrorist organization Hamas pursues the goal of destroying the state of Israel,” said Faeser. “We see their propaganda in Germany with their particularly aggressive demonstration behavior and especially through attacks on Jewish institutions and Jewish homes.” Samidoun described the interior minister as an “international network that spreads anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda under the guise of a so-called solidarity organization for prisoners in various countries.” “Samidoun also supports and glorifies various foreign terrorist organizations, especially Hamas.”
In the case of Hamas and the foreign structures of Samidoun, it is a so-called ban on activity, and for the German structures of Samidoun it is also a ban on associations. The consequences are similar. Any assets will be confiscated and internet presence and social media activities will be banned. Anyone who continues to be active for the organizations is committing a criminal offense.
Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the USA. According to estimates by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany, there are around 450 people behind it, many of whom are German citizens. However, there is no official branch of the Islamist group in this country. Associations that were close to the movement were banned a few years ago. The ban on activity that has now been issued remains an additional measure.
According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Hamas’ activities in Germany run counter to criminal laws and are directed against the principle of international understanding enshrined in the Basic Law. The purpose and activity affected significant interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Samidoun is a group that describes itself as the “Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.” According to constitutional protection officers, Samidoun belongs to the radical Palestinian organization PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) and is hostile to Israel. The PFLP itself propagates the armed struggle against Israel, but, unlike Hamas, is not religious.
According to the ministry, in Germany Samidoun also operates under the names “HIRAK – Palestinian Youth Mobilization Youth Movement (Germany)” and “Hirak eV”. The network is directed against the idea of international understanding, impairs and endangers the peaceful coexistence of Germans and foreigners and of various groups of foreigners in Germany, public order and other significant interests of the Federal Republic, advocates the use of force to enforce political interests and supports associations that initiate attacks , advocate and threaten.
Just a few hours after the bloodbath in Israel on October 7th, Samidoun caused outrage because members of the network distributed sweets in honor of Hamas on Sonnenallee in Berlin’s Neukölln district. “Holding spontaneous celebrations here in Germany in response to the terrible terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, as we are witnessing in Berlin, is unbearable,” emphasized Faeser. “This shows Samidoun’s anti-Semitic, inhumane worldview in a disgusting way.”
The police union (GdP) welcomed the ban. “Now the legal framework is clear and that helps a lot. The protection of Jewish life in Germany has the highest priority and that is why we will fight this terrorist organization in Germany with rigor and professionalism!” announced Federal Chairman Jochen Kopelke.
Shortly after Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel at the beginning of October, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) announced a ban on the two organizations’ activities. Such an announcement in advance of a ban is very unusual. “It is to be hoped that the prior announcement of the bans did not eliminate all evidence and that the effect of the ban would be weakened,” noted the President of the German-Israeli Society, Volker Beck, who otherwise described the step as “long overdue ” greeted.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
