The German government has introduced a ban on any public display of support for the terrorist organization Hamas in an effort to counter the country’s growing anti-Semitism. The ban also incorporates the Hamas-sympathizing Samidoun group, which organized celebrations in Berlin immediately after the violent attack on Israel on October 7.
The federal Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, announced earlier this week, “With Hamas, I have today completely banned the activities of a terrorist organisation whose aim is to destroy the state of Israel.”
“Holding spontaneous ‘jubilant celebrations’ here in Germany in response to Hamas’s terrible terrorist attacks against Israel demonstrates Samidoun’s antisemitic, inhuman worldview in a particularly sickening way,” she added.
The announcement was praised by the German police union, who said the move would simplify their task in combating those celebrating anti-Israeli or antisemitic violence.
The U.S. State Department similarly supported the move, with the agency’s spokesman, Matthew Miller, explaining: “Germany’s decision to ban activities supporting Hamas, which builds on the E.U.’s designation to fully restrict and criminalize support of the terrorist group.”
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