Germany affirms revoking of citizenship of newly naturalized Syrian Hamas supporter

Berlin authorities’ decision last month to revoke the newly acquired German citizenship of a Syrian migrant over his alleged support for Hamas received formal backing on Wednesday from Germany’s Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt.

“People who have acquired German citizenship, including dual nationals, have declared their commitment to our system of values,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said at a news conference.

“If it becomes apparent that this was a deliberate misrepresentation, and that they do not share this system of values… it should be possible to withdraw citizenship."

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.”

In September, Abdallah, who came to Germany as a baby, received his German passport after applying for citizenship. One day later he posted a message on Instagram in which he referred to Hamas terrorists as “heroes.”

He had 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. 

The State Office for Immigration told the German tabloid BILD that Abdallah’s social media post would be “incompatible” with the new law.

“The statements referred to on social media are incompatible with this and are contrary to naturalization,” it said. 

In a post on 𝕏 on Wednesday, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner thanked security authorities for taking action against Abdallah.

“The commitment to the liberal-democratic basic order during naturalization is not a mere formality with us. Anyone who believes they can deceive here can see for themselves the consistent actions of the Berlin authorities. My thanks go to the responsible colleagues,” he wrote.

The news comes as Mossad on Wednesday revealed that it had exposed and dismantled an extensive network of Hamas terror operations throughout Europe, thwarting multiple planned attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets.  

According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, the months-long investigation involved collaboration between the Israeli spy agency and other intelligence agencies and law enforcement across several European countries, including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. 

The Mossad emphasized that since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Hamas has intensified efforts to form sleeper cells and terror infrastructure across Europe, similar to Iran and its proxies.

The Israeli spy agency said it “is working relentlessly to thwart attacks against Israeli, Jewish, and other innocent civilians across the globe.”