The German government has announced a ban on supporting the Hamas terror group, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Thursday.
Additionally, Faeser noted that the restrictions would also apply to the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network who the minister said "supports and glorifies" groups like the Gaza based terrorist organization.
On Oct. 7, Samidoun was seen celebrating the attack on southern Israel by handing out pastries and other confections to the public in Berlin. This form of celebration has been a common occurrence after successful attacks on Israel in previous years.
Faeser released a statement while announcing the prohibitions saying, "Holding spontaneous 'jubilant celebrations' here in Germany in response to Hamas's terrible terrorist attacks against Israel demonstrates Samidoun's antisemitic, inhuman worldview in a particularly sickening way."
Germany's police union praised the new regulations and added that the decision will make it easier for them to prohibit other individuals from promoting anti-Israel violence.
Hamas as an organization has already been outlawed in Germany, and the updated rules will empower law enforcement officials to criminalize the dissemination of their jihadist propaganda and allow for the asset forfeiture of their supporters.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded to the ministry's decision stating, "The United States welcomes Germany's decision to ban activities supporting Hamas, which builds on the E.U.'s designation to fully restrict and criminalize support of the terrorist group."
Deutsche Welle reported that German domestic intelligence agencies estimate that there are approximately 450 people who are active supporters of Hamas in the country.
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