German police raid NGO offices for alleged Hamas ties

BERLIN (AA) - German police on Wednesday raided offices of several non-governmental organizations, alleging that they provided support to the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Around 90 properties across Germany, including offices of WWR Help und Ansaar International, were searched by the police, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

“There are indications that they have provided financial and propaganda support to Hamas,” the ministry said.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer stressed that Germany will not allow charities to provide support to Gaza-based Hamas group, arguing that German laws prohibit activities that violate the principle of international peaceful understanding.

The European Union keeps Hamas in its terror list, despite strong objections by the Palestinian group, which describes itself as a national liberation movement practicing all types of legitimate resistance against the Israeli occupation.

The German government has been a strong supporter of Israel and repeatedly underlined its “special responsibility” for the Israeli state due to the Holocaust.

About six million Jews are believed to have died during the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany.