Germany Bans Hezbollah-Linked Groups, Conducts Raids
Germany has banned three associations that are accused of donating to Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
Police conducted early morning
raids at several premises in seven German states, a spokesman for the ministry
said on Twitter.
"Those who support terror will not be safe in
Germany. No matter in what guise our supporters appear, they will not find a
place of refuge in our country," the spokesman said.
Germany banned Hezbollah on its
soil and designated it a terrorist organization last year.
The three associations that have
been banned are "Deutsche Libanesische Familie", "Menschen für
Menschen" as well as "Gib Frieden", which had already been
banned on April 15.
The associations are accused of
collecting donations for Hezbollah's "martyr families" in Lebanon
under the guise of religious and humanitarian goals in Germany, ultimately
promoting attacks on Israel.
As a legacy of the Holocaust, Germany feels a special responsibility towards protecting Israel.
