Scholz settles scores with Hamas supporters. Activity ban

Olaf Scholz announced in the Bundestag a ban on Hamas activities in Germany - according to "Deutsche Welle". Germany also intends to take a hard line against supporters of this organization in the country. The German Chancellor also accused Iran of supporting Hamas.

After Hamas's attack on Israel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced far-reaching consequences against organizations in Germany supporting terrorism - reports "Deutsche Welle".

- The Ministry of Interior will issue a ban on Hamas activities in Germany - said Scholz in a government statement in the Bundestag on Thursday. He also promised a firm government stance on groups supporting Hamas.

"Deutsche Welle" reports that the association "Samidoun," whose supporters andmembers celebrated brutal acts of terror on the streets of Germany, which occurred in Israel, will be banned.

The Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, Samidoun, an organization working for the release of Palestinian prisoners, is considered one of the main forces spreading anti-Israeli propaganda.

The Chancellor emphasized that Germany does not accept antisemitism, hatred, and incitement to it, and will not remain passive towards demonstrations of solidarity with the brutal actions of Hamas. According to Olaf Scholz's words, "anyone who glorifies Hamas crimes or uses its symbols will be subject to prosecution in Germany" - reports the German portal.

Our association law is a sharp sword. And this sword, as a strong rule of law, we will now use - said Scholz.

In the report for 2022, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany assessed and estimated the number of Hamas supporters operating in the country. According to this report, this number is around 450 people. The main area of activity for these individuals is fundraising for this terrorist organization. Additionally, they attempt to influence public discourse regarding the conflict in the Middle East. A ban on the use of Hamas symbols is already in effect in Germany, as part of the fight against this organization.

During his speech in the Bundestag, Olaf Scholz, pointed to Iran as a country co-responsible for the escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

In his speech, he stated: "So far, we have no concrete evidence that Iran provided specific and operational support for this cowardly attack by Hamas". Nevertheless, Scholz emphasized that "it's clear to all of us: without Iranian support in recent years, Hamas would not have been able to carry out these unprecedented attacks on Israeli territory".

The words of the German Chancellor show how complicated the situation in the Middle East is and how many factors influence its development. Both the activities of Hamas and the role of Iran are important for understanding the dynamics of this conflict.