Germany Bans Activities of Hamas and Other Extremist Groups

The Federal Minister of the Interior in Germany, Nancy Faeser, announced on Thursday the ban on the activities of the radical Islamic terrorist organization Hamas and the Palestinian network "Samedoon" in the country, as reported by Spiegel.

"The spontaneous 'celebrations' in response to the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel display an antisemitic and inhumane worldview from 'Samedoon' in an especially reprehensible manner. Antisemitism has no place in Germany. We will combat it in all forms and through all means of the rule of law," stated Nancy Faeser.

Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization in the EU and the USA, but its activities are limited in Germany. "Samedoon" describes itself as a "solidarity network with Palestinian prisoners." According to security agencies, this network is closely linked to the radical Palestinian organization NFOP (National Front for the Liberation of Palestine). The NFOP advocates armed resistance against Israel, but unlike Hamas, it is not religiously oriented. It is also on the EU's list of terrorist organizations.

According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, there are approximately 450 Hamas supporters in Germany. The number of "Samedoon" supporters is unknown, but it is likely significantly lower. Observers estimate that there are several dozen activists, but they are very active.

A few days after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hinted at the possibility of banning the activities of both organizations. It is worth noting that representatives of "Samedoon" celebrated the Hamas bloodshed in Berlin shortly after Scholz's statement by distributing sweets to passersby.

Shortly after Scholz's statement, representatives of leading political parties in Germany also called for the swift ban of these organizations in the country. In addition to banning Hamas, the Deputy Leader of the parliamentary Free Democratic Party, Konstantin Kuhle, and the German government's Commissioner for Antisemitism, Felix Klein, also emphasized the need to ban the Islamic Center of Hamburg (IZH). The Constitutional Protection Agency classifies this center, also known as the "Blue Mosque," as an outpost of the Iranian regime's ayatollahs in Germany.

Czech Minister of Defense Jana Chernokhova expressed her indignation with the UN General Assembly resolution calling on Israel to halt its military operations in the Gaza Strip, initiated in response to Hamas's terrorist actions. In turn, she called on the Czech Republic to withdraw from the UN.