Hundreds of German police raided the properties of Hamas supporters in Berlin and throughout the country
BERLIN (AP) — Hundreds of police officers searched the property of Hamas members and followers in Germany Thursday morning after imposing an official ban on any activity by or support of the armed group.
The German government implemented the ban on November 2 and dissolved Samidoun, a group that was behind the celebration in Berlin of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
German domestic intelligence estimates that Hamas has about 450 members in the country. Their activities range from expressions of sympathy and propaganda activities to financing and fundraising activities to promote the organization abroad.
German Interior Minister Nancy Weiser said: “We are continuing our ongoing work against extremist Islamists.” “by Ban Hamas and Samidoun In Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any glorification or support for the barbaric terrorism practiced by Hamas against Israel.”
The German Interior Ministry said in a statement that the raids, most of which took place in Berlin, were aimed at enforcing the ban and continuing investigations into the groups.
A total of 15 properties were searched in Berlin, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein.
In Berlin alone, more than 300 police officers conducted searches at 11 locations in order to confiscate evidence and assets. Seven searches were related agitation And four to steadfast. The German news agency reported that the searches took place mainly in the homes of supporters and the buildings of a Palestinian association.
Germany is launching a crackdown on groups that support anti-Semitism in the wake of the events The last war between Israel and Hamas.
Tuesday, The police raided the homes of 17 people In the state of Bavaria, southern Germany, they are accused of spreading the disease Anti-Semitic Hate speech and threats targeting Jews online. On November 16, German Police raided 54 locations Across the country in an investigation into a Hamburg-based organization suspected of promoting the ideology of Iranian leadership and possibly supporting Hezbollah activities in Germany.
“We are closely monitoring the Islamic scene,” Faisar said. “Islamists and anti-Semites cannot and should not feel safe anywhere here.” She said that Hamas members and supporters in Germany are also committed to influencing political and social discourse in the country.
Hamas has vowed to annihilate Israel and has been responsible for numerous suicide bombings and other deadly attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. After the group’s incursion into Israel in October, Israel pledged to eliminate Hamas.
The US State Department designated Hamas a terrorist group in 1997. The European Union and other Western countries also consider it a terrorist organization.
