Case Opened Against ‘Michael’ Church in Hesse State, Germany
German prosecutors have opened a legal case against the ‘Michael’ Church in Hesse state, Germany, over allegations of selling Hamas symbols at a Christmas market.
German prosecutors have opened a case against a Protestant church in Hesse state, Germany. The church, accused of selling items bearing symbols related to the terrorist organization Hamas at a Christmas market, became subject to judicial investigation. The prosecutor is reviewing the church’s role in the sale of symbols and goods related to the terrorist organization Hamas, incitement to hatred, and the use of these prohibited symbols.
The Michael Church’s Christmas market in Darmstadt took place on Sunday, where key chains bearing Hamas’s red triangle symbol were being sold. A symbol that was banned in Germany in July. The matter prompted numerous complaints.
According to a report by ‘European Conservative,’ in addition to key chains with Hamas symbols, maps of Palestine without mentioning Israel’s name were also sold, along with candies decorated with the phrase ‘Palestinian lives matter’ and labels bearing the slogan ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.’ The market was advertised as an ‘anti-colonial and peace-supporting Christmas market’ and alongside these symbols, traditional products such as mulled wine and Christmas carols were also sold.
The Michael Church’s website also described the market as ‘a journey for diversity and solidarity with all oppressed peoples’ and announced that its proceeds would go to Palestinians. Chief Prosecutor ‘Hartman’ stated regarding this event that authorities are investigating the possibility of criminal offenses, and both the Michael Church and the Darmstadt Group for Palestine, which cooperated in this event, are under investigation.
Daniel Neumann, head of Darmstadt’s Jewish Community, while condemning the event, said: ‘It is shameful that a Protestant church community, whether out of naivety or malice, involves itself in such matters.’ Additionally, Hanno Benz, mayor of Darmstadt, commented on the event: ‘Anti-Semitism has no place in our community. Organizing such an event under the auspices of a Protestant church community is unacceptable. Efforts are underway to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist and to demonize this country.’
Regional evangelical authorities also expressed serious concerns about the event. Reverend ‘Manfred Werner,’ leader of this church, stated in a statement: ‘We will tolerate no racism, anti-Semitism, or Islamophobia. Regarding the Sunday Christmas market, a pro-Palestine solidarity group displayed symbols that crossed the line. These symbols were not coordinated with me and, as they were inhumane, I would never have permitted them.’ Werner apologized to the Jewish community, church members, the Christian-Jewish cooperation organization, church governing bodies, and all involved in the dialogue initiative for this event.
‘Uwe Becker,’ member of the Christian Democratic Party and Hesse’s anti-Semitism commissioner, while describing the event as ‘incredible, completely unacceptable, and disgraceful,’ said: ‘In Darmstadt, the ground has been prepared for Hamas propaganda and Holocaust relativization.’
The Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau, to which the Michael Church is affiliated, also described the Christmas market as disgraceful and announced: ‘The willingness to support those in need, including in Gaza, is a legitimate endeavor. However, the use of general anti-Israel rhetoric and delegitimizing language, the sale of items bearing symbols associated with the terrorist organization Hamas, and questioning Israel’s right to exist are unacceptable to us.’
