Anti-Israel, antisemitic demonstrations with violent riots, physical attacks on the press and police officers, intimidation of politicians and journalists, illegal occupations of universities and attacks on Jewish and pro-Israel institutions – all of this has been everyday life in Germany since 7 October 2023. Behind this threatening development stands, among others, the organisation “Masar Badil”, which campaigns within the Palestinian diaspora and beyond for the armed struggle against Israel and against democratic values.
While organisations such as “Samidoun” have been banned in Germany, “Masar Badil”, according to new research by the association democ e.V., has built up an effective network in secret in Western Europe in recent years. The organisation serves as a bridgehead between terrorist organisations from the Middle East such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Houthi rebels, and antisemites, enemies of Israel and terror sympathisers in Europe, with the aim not only of destroying Israel but also of splitting and destabilising Western, democratic societies. To this end they specifically target young people of the Palestinian diaspora and use disinformation to spread their propaganda.
We spoke with Linus Kebba Pook, managing director and board member of democ e.V., about the background of this group and about the consequences for the public safety of Jewish life in Germany.
Moderation: Alina Stiegler, journalist
