In Lower Saxony, the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas finds a few devoted supporters and functionaries amidst its population. This revelation emerged from the Ministry of Interior's response to a query posed by Christian Calderone, a CDU member of the state parliament.
The Ministry stated that the number of Hamas sympathizers and officials under surveillance by Lower Saxony's security forces is not insignificant, hovering around the mid-double digits. Despite this, the authorities in Lower Saxony maintain open dialogue with various pro-Palestinian organizations, excluding those that uphold Hamas. The state government does not collaborate with public representatives from the Palestinian territories.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, representing the SPD, decided to outlaw Hamas and the Palestinian network Samidoun at the beginning of November. This decision was a consequence of the ghastly terrorist attacks in Israel, on October 7, which claimed over a thousand lives, propelled by Hamas.
Representatives from the CDU in Germany have voiced their concerns over the presence of Hamas members in Lower Saxony, urging their state government to intensify their efforts against extremist groups and terrorist organizations. In the context of the internal security threat posed by Hamas, the Ministry of Internal Security in Lower Saxony has engaged in discussions with individual pro-Palestinian organizations, regarding matters of common interest. However, any organization that backs Hamas is explicitly excluded from these talks.
The issue of extremism and the role of organizations like Hamas in Germany is an ongoing debate among political circles, with parties such as the CDU advocating stricter measures to safeguard internal security.
While the federal government has banned Hamas in its entirety, specific actions taken in Lower Saxony and across Germany to combat the threat of Hamas and related extremist groups include increased surveillance, raids, investigations, legal actions, and legislative amendments to curb antisemitism and hostile attitudes toward Israel. Authorities have also taken steps to secure Jewish communities and institutions within universities and schools.
Sources: - stern.de - Protecting Our Innovation: Germany's Strategy against Antisemitism and Hostility toward Israel in Schools and Universities (German Parliament) - The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV)
