The German government has taken a firm stance against online glorification of terrorism, passing measures that make it easier to deport foreigners who engage in such activities. This move comes in response to a sharp increase in hate posts on social media, particularly following the Hamas attack on Israel in October and the fatal stabbing of a police officer in Mannheim.
Under the new rules, foreigners could be deported for even a single social media comment that glorifies or condones a terrorist act. Previously, multiple instances of support were required for deportation. The government argues that glorifying terrorism online creates a dangerous environment that can incite extremists and violent criminals.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “It is very clear to us that Islamist agitators who are mentally living in the Stone Age have no place in our country.” She asserted that anyone without German citizenship who glorifies terrorist acts should be expelled whenever possible.
The draft law, which still needs parliamentary approval, underscores the seriousness with which Germany views the threat posed by online extremism. Convictions have already been secured for some social media posts. In one notable case, an imam in Munich was fined 4,500 euros for a Facebook post celebrating the day of the Hamas attack.
Following the Mannheim attack, Chancellor Olaf Scholz also called for deportations, stating that celebrating terrorist acts is a “slap in the face for the victims, their families, and our democratic order.”
These new measures demonstrate Germany’s commitment to combating terrorism and creating a safer online environment. The government’s focus on swift action against those who glorify terrorism reflects a growing concern about the potential for online extremism to fuel real-world violence.
