German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has attributed responsibility to Iran for aiding in the growth of Hamas, ultimately leading to the recent attack on Israel. In a comprehensive address to the German parliament, Scholz expressed that although there is no definitive evidence of direct Iranian operational support for the attack, it is evident that without Iranian backing, Hamas would not have been capable of carrying out such a significant assault.
Scholz emphasized his dismay at the celebratory reactions from the Iranian leadership and other officials in the region following the Hamas attack, underscoring their complicity in the events in Gaza. However, the Iranian government has denied any involvement in the attack.
As part of the German government’s response, Chancellor Scholz announced a crackdown on organizations that support Hamas. This includes a ban on all fundraising and activities that glorify the group or display its symbols. In addition, the international activist group Samidoun, which claims to support Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, is also facing a ban by German authorities due to allegations of hate speech and calls for Israel’s destruction.
Germany has shown strong support for Israel following the Hamas incursion, with at least 1,300 people killed and dozens taken hostage in cross-border infiltrations into Israeli towns near Gaza. The German government has suspended Palestinian aid pending a review and has increased security measures for Jewish institutions. A pro-Palestinian protest planned for Berlin was also banned.
Scholz, like other German leaders, highlighted the country’s historic responsibility toward Israel, stemming from the Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis. He acknowledged that the suffering of Gaza’s civilians would likely intensify, attributing it to Hamas’ attack on Israel. Furthermore, he criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for his perceived silence on the matter, especially as his Fatah movement is a rival of Hamas.
Gaza authorities reported more than 1,200 casualties from Israeli retaliatory bombings.
To prevent further regional escalation of violence, Scholz warned Hezbollah, another Iranian-backed militant group, not to engage in an attack on Israel. He emphasized his close contact with leaders such as Egypt’s President Sisi, who has channels to Gaza, and his intention to engage with Turkey’s President Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, all of whom could play a crucial role in de-escalating the situation.