In first, Germany revokes citizenship from Palestinian man for glorifying Hamas online

German authorities recently revoked the citizenship of a Palestinian man, days after he received it, for a social media post praising Hamas. 

Abdallah, from a Palestinian Arab family, came to Germany as a baby. He applied for naturalization as an adult, which was approved on Sept. 25 of this year. After receiving his German passport, Abdallah proudly posted a picture of it on Instagram, accompanied by Arab music. 

However, one day later, he posted to his account a message glorifying the Hamas terrorist organization. 

The post featured a photo of two Hamas fighters with a Palestinian flag, with text that read “Heros(sic) of Palestine" and a green heart. The post apparently garnered significant attention, with some calling it proof that Germany was welcoming terror sympathizers and allowing vast numbers of Muslim, antisemitic immigrants to come in with little vetting. 

According to German tabloid site BILD, Abdallah also participated in several anti-Israel demonstrations following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, including a Nakba Day protest. He was detained by German police during that protest. 

Germany recently added a clause to the immigration and naturalization process, in which the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) checks whether the applicant has a criminal record and whether he or she is committed to the free democratic basic order and the protection of Jewish life. 

The new law stipulates that "racism, antisemitism or any other form of misanthropy rule out naturalization." 

Last year, then German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced changes to the country’s naturalization test, including questions about the Holocaust, Israel's right to exist, and Jewish life in Germany. 

“Antisemitism, racism, and other forms of contempt for humanity rule out naturalization,” Faeser stated. “Whoever does not share our values, cannot receive a German passport.” 

The State Office for Immigration told BILD that Abdallah’s social media post would be “incompatible” with these recently established policies. 

A spokesperson told the tabloid, "The statements referred to on social media are incompatible with this and are contrary to naturalization.” 

BILD reported that Abdallah received a letter informing him that his naturalization will be revoked due to his Instagram post in support of Hamas. According to BILD, he now has four weeks to submit a statement to his lawyer.