Cracking down on Hamas and Samidoun spreads wider
The crackdown on Hamas and the international network, Samidoun, gained momentum on Thursday, as authorities extended their searches of members and supporters. The Federal Ministry of the Interior announced that 21 properties were now under scrutiny in five federal states. Originally, 16 properties were targeted in Berlin, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein. The number grew with the addition of one property in Hamburg and more in Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein. Over 500 officers participated in the operation.
The operations mainly focused on Berlin, where 13 properties were sought. Items such as mobile phones, laptops, data carriers, posters, donation appeals, and documents were seized during the raid. The operation was still underway in the evening, according to the ministry announcement.
The expansion of these raids on Hamas and Samidoun has sparked criticism as a drastic measure against political organizations. Questions about civil liberties have arisen in response to authorities' actions, deemed extremist by the Federal Interior Ministry.
(Insights from Enrichment Data)
Recent events and public reactions offer some context:
- Munich car-ramming: A car-ramming attack in Munich on February 13, 2025, resulted in 28 injuries, including children. The suspect, an Afghan asylum seeker, was arrested, and investigations are ongoing. Indications of extremist connections were made through his alleged posting of jihadist material on social media before the attack.
- Hamas-Israel conflict: The international community, including Germany, has condemned Hamas' attacks and supported Israel's right to defend itself during its recent conflict with Hamas. Germany temporarily suspended €125 million in development aid to Palestine in response to Hamas' actions.
- Public reactions and legal considerations: There are no reports of raids on Hamas or Samidoun members and supporters in Germany, but the heightened tension and concerns about terrorism and extremism in Germany are evident. With the Munich attack and the upcoming federal elections on February 23, 2025, fears of political violence and terrorism persist. The German government's stance on terrorism and its response to extremist activities are shaped by these concerns.
In conclusion, the expanded raids targeting Hamas and Samidoun members and supporters stem from the German government's vigilant stance against extremist activities in the broader context of terrorism concerns and international reactions to the Hamas-Israel conflict.
