Hundreds of police officers searched the properties of Hamas members and supporters in Germany on Thursday morning following a formal ban on any activities by or in support of the terrorist group.
The German government implemented the ban on Nov. 2 and disbanded Samidoun, a group that was behind a celebration in Berlin of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Germany’s internal intelligence service estimates that Hamas has around 450 members in the country.
Their activities range from expressions of sympathy and propaganda activities to financing and fundraising activities to strengthen the organization abroad.
“We continue our constant action against radical Islamists,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. “By banning Hamas and Samidoun in Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any glorification or support for Hamas’ barbaric terror against Israel.”
The raids, which took place mainly in Berlin, were aimed at enforcing bans and further investigating the groups, the German Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Hundreds of police officers searched the properties of Hamas members and supporters in Germany following a ban on any activity or support for the group. REUTERS
In total, 500 police officers searched 16 properties in Berlin and the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein.
In Berlin alone, more than 300 police officers carried out searches at 11 locations to seize evidence and property.
Seven searches were related to Hamas and four to Samidoun.
Germany’s internal intelligence service estimates that Hamas has around 450 members in the country. REUTERS “By banning Hamas and Samidoun in Germany, we have sent a clear signal that we will not tolerate any glorification or support for Hamas’ barbaric terror against Israel,” said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. ZUMAPRESS.com
The searches were carried out mainly in the homes of supporters and the premises of a Palestinian association, the German news agency DPA reported.
Germany has been clamping down on groups that support anti-Semitism in the wake of the latest war between Israel and Hamas.
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On Tuesday, police raided the homes of 17 people in the southern German state of Bavaria, accused of spreading anti-Semitic hate speech and threats against Jews online.
On November 16, German police raided 54 locations across the country in an investigation of a Hamburg-based organization suspected of promoting the ideology of the Iranian leadership and possibly supporting Hezbollah activities in Germany.
Germany has been cracking down on groups that support anti-Semitism in the months since the war between Israel and Hamas. REUTERS
“We are closely following the Islamist scene,” Faeser said. “Islamists and anti-Semites cannot and should not feel safe anywhere here.”
He said Hamas members and supporters in Germany are also committed to influencing the country’s political and social discourse.
Hamas has vowed to annihilate Israel and has been responsible for many suicide bombings and other deadly attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.
500 police officers searched 16 properties in Berlin and other areas of Germany. FILIP SINGER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The raids were aimed at enforcing bans and further investigating the groups, according to the German Interior Ministry. REUTERS
After the group’s incursion into Israel in October, Israel vowed 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.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn