Germany urges Muslims to condemn Hamas attack on Israel

Germany’s interior minister urges Muslim groups in the country to explicitly condemn the deadly October 7 attacks by Hamas and to voice solidarity with Israel.

The nation is home to about 5.5 million Muslims, making up the second-biggest religious group.

“I expect the Muslim organizations to clearly position themselves and uphold their responsibilities in society,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser says in an interview with German broadcaster ARD.

The groups need to “clearly condemn” the attack by Hamas and not just with a “yes, but,” she says.

“It must be very clear. We stand by Israel’s side,” adds Faeser.

Some Muslim groups have indeed “lived up to their responsibilities,” she says. “Some have not.”

The voices “defending our values” must get louder, says the minister.