German police launches raids in anti-Hamas operation

German police raided 15 properties in four regions over connections to the militant group Hamas and Samidoun, a pro-Palestinian organization, the interior ministry said Thursday.

“We are continuing our consistent action against radical Islamists,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement. “Islamists and anti-Semites cannot and must not feel safe anywhere here. These extremists must expect the full force of the rule of law.”

Hamas is estimated to have around 450 members in Germany whose activities range from “expressions of sympathy and propaganda … to financing or fundraising,” the interior ministry’s statement said.

German authorities have cracked down on some Muslim and Palestinian groups in the country after Hamas’ surprise attacks on October 7 killed around 1,200 people on Israeli soil. Germany has seen a rise in antisemitism since the war began.

Earlier this month, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck criticized German Muslim associations for failing to speak out against antisemitism and Hamas’ attacks.

“The responsibility of our history also asserts that Jews can live freely and safely in Germany. That they never again have to fear to show their religion, their culture openly. But precisely this fear is now back,” Habeck said.

In early November, the interior ministry dissolved the German wing of Samidoun, an international solidarity network for Palestinian prisoners which Berlin says is used as a cover to spread antisemitic propaganda, and also banned the activities of Hamas, which was already listed as a terrorist organization.

German police also carried out a major nationwide operation against an organization suspected of supporting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah last week, raiding dozens of properties across the country.