Israel

Germany Bans Hamas Activities

Published OCT 12 2023

Story

Image credit: Michele Tantussi [via Getty Images]

The Facts

Following Hamas' weekend attack on Israel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Thursday a ban on any activity deemed to show support for the group — recognized as a terrorist organization in the EU — taking aim at the pro-Palestinian group Samidoun.
ap
Speaking to parliament, Scholz emphasized that any support for Hamas, its symbols, or the burning of Israeli flags would lead to prosecution.
The National News
An event, live-streamed by Samidoun, was broken up on Saturday by German police, claiming the event was an "immediate threat to public safety," containing "anti-Israel chants" as well as "glorifying violence."
Exberliner
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany’s law governing associations was a “sharp sword,” further commenting that the country would now “draw this sword." Samidoun identifies as a Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.
English
The chancellor also claimed that although there was "no tangible evidence" for Iran's role in the weekend attack, it bore responsibility for allegedly allowing Hamas to grow. Thursday also saw Germany reveal it had granted an Israeli request to use two leased drones.
ABC News
This comes as other European nations have announced similar bans on any activities deemed to be in support of Hamas, including France.
Guardian

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Anti-Semitism cannot be justified in any way, and violence, like what Hamas unleashed in Israel on Saturday, must be met with the full force of the law. Hamas is already proscribed as a terror organization, and anyone showing them support should undoubtedly be barred.

DER SPIEGEL

Narrative B

While the atrocities committed by Hamas must be condemned to the fullest extent, Germany — and Europe more generally — must be careful not to cross the line of confusing them with legitimate Palestinian issues. Doing so is a slippery slope that will lead to the curtailment of freedom of speech and expression.