The Hesse Interior Ministry has banned the anti-Israel organisation Palästina e.V. because of its role in spreading anti-Jewish hatred, praising terrorism and disseminating antisemitic propaganda.
The state announced the ban after an administrative court found that Palästina e.V.’s purpose and activities were contrary to Germany’s constitutional order.
To enforce the ban and secure further evidence, police conducted early-morning searches, under court orders, at five properties in Hesse and one in Baden-Württemberg.
Thirty-five officers from Frankfurt Police Headquarters, the Hesse Police Directorate for Operations and the Hesse State Criminal Police Office took part in the searches.
“With the ban on the association Palästina e.V., Hesse is sending a clear signal in favour of decisive action by the rule of law and against the rise of antisemitism,” said Interior Minister Roman Poseck.
“Through its antisemitic propaganda, the association crossed the boundaries of permissible political expression. The association’s activities were aimed at spreading antisemitic stereotypes, deepening social tensions and seriously undermining the principle of international understanding.”
Palästina e.V. was founded on 22 January 2022 for the purpose of anti-Israel advocacy. Particularly since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, the group had become increasingly active in public and explicitly endorsed the massacre, the ministry said.
This did not change even after the association allegedly dissolved itself, which it announced on social media on 16 November 2024. The ministry said that, in reality, the association continued its activities and persistently disseminated its antisemitic propaganda without interruption.
Tuesday’s ban followed extensive investigative measures. As early as 22 January 2025, authorities searched the homes and premises of leading members of Palästina e.V. The group’s activities, public statements and events were also thoroughly examined.
The findings confirmed that, over an extended period, the association had “spread antisemitic positions, denied the right of the State of Israel to exist, and disseminated corresponding propaganda publicly”, adding: “Its events and publications repeatedly served to fuel antisemitic resentment and spread anti-Israel narratives.”
The stated objective of Palästina e.V. is the “liberation of all of historical Palestine from Zionist occupation, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea”. The association’s statutes state that it is to stand “in solidarity with all forms of Palestinian resistance”, including Hamas.
A leading member of the group described Hamas’s actions as “a successful act of resistance” and stated: “There is no Hamas terrorism. There is also no terrorism by the PFLP [Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine]. Armed resistance is not terrorism.”
Members of Palästina e.V. also repeatedly used slogans such as: “Palestine has the right to defend itself, including with stones and guns” and “Palestine has shown that it can liberate itself; it blew up its prison – now it is our task to stand alongside our brothers and sisters and bring their struggle onto the streets.”
The ban mandates the dissolution of the group’s organisational structures and the seizure of its assets.
Poseck highlighted the importance of the ban in light of the increase in antisemitic hate crimes in the state. The number of antisemitic crimes in Hesse rose again in 2025, from 357 cases in 2024 to 374. The Hesse office of the Research and Information Centre for Antisemitism (RIAS) also recorded a new high of 1,099 incidents last year.
He said associations such as Palästina e.V. “contribute to this worrying development through their hatred of Jews”.
“Protecting Jewish life and decisively combating every form of antisemitism are among our highest priorities,” said Poseck. “Anyone who spreads hatred against Jews or denies Israel’s right to exist is simultaneously attacking the fundamental values of our liberal democracy.
“The security of Jewish life in Hesse is non-negotiable. The Hesse security authorities are already doing everything possible to protect Jewish citizens as effectively as possible, including through video surveillance. We will continue to take decisive action against antisemitic, extremist and anti-constitutional activities.”
