• Published 14:01 12.07.10
  • Latest update 14:01 12.07.10

Germany outlaws charity over alleged Hamas links

Authorities believe the Internationale Humanitaere Hilfsorganisation (IHH), which is registered in Frankfurt, has been funneling money to Hamas.

By DPA Tags: Israel news Hamas Gaza Germany

Germany has outlawed a charity operating in the country because of its alleged links to the militant Palestinian organization Hamas, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced Monday.

A Palestinian girl stands by sacks of humanitarian aid in Shatie refugee camp, in Gaza

A Palestinian girl stands by sacks of humanitarian aid in Shatie refugee camp, in Gaza City on June 6, 2010.

Photo by: AP

Authorities believe the Internationale Humanitaere Hilfsorganisation (IHH), which is registered in Frankfurt, has been funneling financial donations to Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip and is considered a terrorist organization by the European Union and
United States.

"The IHH has, under the cover of humanitarian aid, supported Gaza Strip-based so-called social associations which are attributable to Hamas, for a long period of time and to a considerable financial extent," de Maiziere said in a statement.

"Hamas employs acts of violence against Israel and Israeli citizens and therefore compromises a peaceful settlement between the Israeli and Palestinian people," the statement said.

Despite sharing the name, the German IHH has no connection to the Turkish group that organized the flotilla to break the naval blockade of Gaza that left nine people dead.

 

  • Print Page
  • Send to a friend
  • Share
  • Text Size +|-
 
 
TalkBacks

Why Facebook Connect?

Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.

Add a comment

Add your reply

  • 31. 0 4
    Info on IHH(s)
    • Leser
    • 13.07.10
    • 06:10

    According to german newspaper 'Die Zeit' the IHH was founded 1992 in Germany, then split up five years later in a german and a turkish part, that is known for sending the flotilla. The 'Verfassungsschutz' says they both have connections to the biggest islamistic organisation in Germany 'Milli Goerues'. Their members have spent 3.35 million euros over the years. Milli Goerues obviously has not yet given hard facts for supporting terrorism. By using middle-man organisations, like the IHHs, they can claim to be tricked themselves by them. To Chaim Ben Kahan: If single persons, fund raisers, organizers found guilty of supporting terrorism, then of course they get arrested. But you have to proof that first, as you know for sure.......Greets

  • 30. 3 2
    DPA ??
    • Thomas
    • 13.07.10
    • 02:19

    What a one-sided view of the conflict. They must be a pretty bad mob these Hamas people. I beleive they fired a few puny rockets but the noble Israelis turned the other cheek.

  • 29. 1 2
    Bootlickering?
    • Frank
    • 12.07.10
    • 23:06

    Before reading at Ha'aretz about it, I have never heard anything about the "IHH". Inspired by the article, I have found the Secretary of Interior's declaration on the case. It was purely political and nourishes the suspicion that it was an act of bootlickering (guess to whom). Besides, Thomas de Maizieres is as much a political chameleon as his cousin Lothar and Lothar's father Clement. If the IHH functionaries have really given humanitarian aid and not supported Hamas, they should keep cool and go to the administration courts which do not believe in every trash that comes from the Interior.

  • 28. 1 3
    So, now the "peace flotilla" it becomes clear, was the activity of
    • Albert of Paris
    • 12.07.10
    • 21:18

    a terror group based in Turkey with branches and chapters in various other countries in Europe and North America. I am sure some people in the Turkish government will have to answer the EU and the US.

  • 27. 0 0
    Why Germany
    • Logios
    • 12.07.10
    • 21:01

    Germany employs many Turks, who started coming to Germany even before the EU was around, due to an agreement between Germany and Turkey to provide laborers for the German economy. Many of these people settled in Gemany and brought their families too. The Germans do not like the Turks, as they tend not to like other "others". Indeed, Germany is the main opposition for having Turkey join the EU. The fact that Germany outlaws a Turkish-German organization makes sense when viewing their own self-perceived interests. They remove another group from ever getting citizenship in Germany, and can list another reason why Turkey should not join the EU. This is not to criticize their anti-Turkish policy, but just to let Israelis understand that the German attitude is motivated by the "hatred of Haman" rather than by the "love of Mordechai".

  • 26. 2 0
  • 25. 0 0
    IHH spreads to America!
    • Colin Wright
    • 12.07.10
    • 20:48

    The 'Indiana Homeless Hotline' just registered itself as a charity in the United States!

  • 24. 1 0
  • 23. 5 14
    Participants of terror fund should be arrested
    • Chaim Ben Kahan
    • 12.07.10
    • 20:11

    So they close one terrorist front and the terrorist will just open another. Germany must arrest the terrorist fund raisers, freeze all assets of the members who donated and imprison organizers. That is how justice is served.

  • 22. 33 5
    Turkey and the West
    • Esperalzi Malaysia
    • 12.07.10
    • 18:51

    The so-called "Western" countries, including US and Germany, are behaving as if Turkey's problems with Israel the very same thing as Turkey's problems with the West. You spit on Israel, you spit on us, you pinch Israel, you pinch us! That's what Germany and the US are signaling Turkey. Aren't Turkey and Israel supposed to be equally staunch and close allies of Germany and US in NATO? Israel isn't even a NATO member like Turkey.

    • 0 0
      Turkey and the West
      • Rob
      • 13.07.10
      • 00:13

      Turkey was in Nato only becuse it shared a border with the once Soviet Union. There is little in common between Turkey and the West and little of value left in Turkey...

  • 21. 31 2
    A little correction
    • Murat
    • 12.07.10
    • 17:45

    They are not "sharing the same name" as stated in the article. They are sharing the same initials. The Turkish NGO is called "Insan Hak ve Hurriyetleri". The German organisation is called "Internationale Humanitaere Hilfsorganisation".

  • 20. 41 19
    I didn´t know that zionists have powerful lobbies in Germany yet!
    • Tony Silver - Kopenhagen
    • 12.07.10
    • 17:44

    Germany has outlawed a charity operating in the country because of its alleged links to the militant Palestinian organization Hamas

  • 19. 18 23
    Hamas
    • 12.07.10
    • 16:53

    Hamas seeks the destruction of Israel for Islam. Read their charter. Israel was created to give a homeland to the Jewish people run out of this area during centuries upon centuries of Islamic rule. Then Hilter's rath, who partnered with Islamists. by the way, Israel is only trying to survive. Only Islamists and their supporter would call Israel a terrorist state.

  • 18. 17 30
    Turkey and the terror-supporting organizations it fields...
    • Yair, Jerusalem, Israel
    • 12.07.10
    • 16:43

    ...is getting the final nails into its own coffin with which the Islamic state will finally bury its chances of ever being part of the EU, and most likely even expelled from NATO.

    • 27 12
      Provocator...
      • Turk
      • 12.07.10
      • 18:09

      You are an ignorant provocator. That is all.

    • 23 15
      Where do you get this info, man not from Europe?
      • European
      • 12.07.10
      • 18:20

      There is absolutely no way that Turkey would EVER be booted out of NATO - it has been one of its strongest member for decades and unlike Israel Turkey is a European country. Eventually, it will get into Europe - there is no reason to punish Turkey for its stance on Israel, it is not like we feel any different or Israel is even that important.

    • 1 0
      Fifty millions Turkish Muslim have their home in Turkey
      • Meo
      • 12.07.10
      • 20:53

      No need to make Europe their new home when we know that according to the survey that was part of a study commissioned by the International Social Survey Program,More than Half in Turkey Oppose Non Muslim Religious Meetings. I want to have my home with my culture and my religion without asking others for permission if I can.That is home of my ancestors who fought and died so we have our own home and I want it for myself and for my people.No need to see people dying for refusing to convert here.European wannabe,take care of your sheep and don't speak in our name.We know what to do,don't worry.Try to speak in the name of Armenians for a change.

    • 2 1
      Erdogan and his Turkish government appear eager to be kicked out of
      • Richard, Berlin, Germany
      • 12.07.10
      • 21:15

      North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) the be told good bye by the EU so as to be welcome with open arms into the coalition he prepares for his country: Iran-Syria-Turkey. I just feel sorry for the many Turks who can't stand this government, but must continue to be its subjects.

    • 0 1
      turks
      • v
      • 12.07.10
      • 22:26

      how are your armenian friends doing. have you massacred another million or so in the last month?

    • 1 0
      Yair
      • Sephardi
      • 13.07.10
      • 00:34

      You clearly are either delusional or irresponsible. Turkey is not now, nor has it ever been an Islamic state, you clueless individual. Unlike your country which claims to be a Jewish state, but which immodestly receives donations from a non-Jewish state (US), Turkey since its creation has always been a secular state, even though most of its citizens were Islamic. It opened its doors, granted citizenship and treated equally my ancestors, and for that I am appreciative.

  • 17. 13 26
    Terror organization, not militant
    • Avi
    • 12.07.10
    • 16:13

    Your extremist leftist tendency is showing, so put it back under the shirt.

  • 16. 18 6
    Regardless
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:49

    There are many groups in Europe use the title "IHH" for their association. But the IHH which lost their nine activists in Mavi Marmara raid have been established only in Turkey. Its operations took action every where in the world with partner organizations. The IHH in germany is not related with the IHH in Turkey. Only connection and similarity between them is their names.

    • 4 16
      Turkey's IHH
      • Mordo
      • 12.07.10
      • 19:05

      The Turkey's IHH is connected to the international Jihad and Al Quaeda according to the French antiterrorist Justice Jean-Louis Bruguiere. He stated this already back to '95-2000.

  • 15. 61 34
  • 14. 23 32
    IHH Frankfurt not IHH Turkey !!
    • Michael
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:49

    It's a bit like Hitler claiming he's okay because he's a Nazi from Austria and not one of those bad Nazis from Germany! I think it's high time that Israel took the Turkish Prime Minister to the International Court in the Hague.

  • 13. 15 3
    Regardless
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:48

    There are many groups in Europe uses the title "IHH" for their association. But the IHH which lost their nine activists in Mavi Marmara raid have been established only in Turkey. Its operations took action in every where in the world with partner organizations. The IHH in germany is not related with the IHH in Turkey. They have just similar names.

  • 12. 28 5
    Nothing to do with the flotilla...
    • Observer
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:46

    ...these are completely different organizations.

    • 2 15
      sementics
      • X_MILITARY
      • 12.07.10
      • 16:44

      Communist parties throughout East Europe were different organization, with one united theoratical goal and Soviet Union in control. Al IHH organizations have one agenda and one command structure yet unrevealed.

    • 0 1
      Pretty funny
      • Colin Wright
      • 12.07.10
      • 20:40

      So the initials are the giveaway? Like, we can figure that the Indiana Homeless Hotline is an al Qaeda front?

  • 11. 18 1
    8 different organizations???
    • Flying Dutchman
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:44

    Well it says there there are 8 different organizations under the same name in Europe. Now I am all confused.

  • 10. 22 12
    "Militant" Palestinian organization Hamas?!?
    • Dana
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:34

    Terror organization! Worst newspaper ever.

  • 9. 8 20
  • 8. 33 41
    Germany, the mother of all ills
    • Ahmad
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:19

    It was Germany who, by deeds, created the Palestinian Nakba, it was Germany who sustained israel through the years, and it is Germany that supplied Israel with Dolphine submarines that capable of luanching nuclear missiles, therefore, I am not surprised that Germany, the same Germany we are talking about, is doing what she is doing now: in cohoot with the Zionst state to velify a humanitrian orgnanization such as this one.

  • 7. 45 31
    Is funnelling money to Hamas any worse than giving money to Israel for settlement building?
    • Miggy
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:14

    In my view Israel is the aggressor in the region and the one who is expanding its territory at the expense of Palestinians.

    • 20 39
      You have a short memory, don't you?!
      • Lucy Somera
      • 12.07.10
      • 16:07

      Israel is not expanding its territory, on the contrary, step by step Israel is giving back territory which it has conquered in wars forced on Israel by Arab countries. Last time in 2005 Israel gave Gaza and part of the Westbank to the Pals. What happened? Just more terror! Btw: It's disgusting that you compare building houses with killing people!

    • 0 0
      Your view is erroneous
      • SDHD
      • 13.07.10
      • 03:33

      Israel is on less than 1/10th of 1 percent of the Middle East. The rest of which has been cleansed of over 95% of its Jews. The land which Israel is occupying was also full of Jews until Jordan and Egypt kicked all the Jews out. So, who is really doing the expanding here? You should do a little more learning before opening your mouth.

  • 6. 16 11
    israel made media
    • pepe el judio
    • 12.07.10
    • 15:03

    always is something different.there is not even a word in germany media about the IHH.. this settler alway have something to said.

  • 5. 32 23
    Double Standards
    • Froy
    • 12.07.10
    • 14:59

    But I guess Germany has no trouble in sending millions each year to Israel, despite of the fact that it "employs acts of violence against Palestinians"

  • 4. 18 12
    Can`t read?
    • Zold
    • 12.07.10
    • 14:54

    At the end of the news in Germany is also written that the IHH in Germany is not linked to the Turkish IHH. They had nothing to do with the flotila.

  • 3. 28 13
    Germany???
    • Aussie
    • 12.07.10
    • 14:38

    Well I thought that organization was Turkish, why is it in Germany than??? I remember something that Turkey didn’t let them register in Istanbul, so that was right ha! Well why do EU countries don’t control these kind of organizations? They can’t register in Turkey and they can operate in Europe? The guy who had bomb on his leg also flew from Amsterdam.

    • 6 3
      german branch
      • Thomas
      • 12.07.10
      • 15:29

      Obviously it's the german branch of the IHH, which seems to have been formally registered as a charitable association ("gemeinnütziger Verein") to work within germany. Under german law, anyone can set up a registered association, and if it has a social cause, it will be tax-exempt. There are many thousands of registered associations in germany. Bans are not common, but will be declared if a group is promoting violence; bans have been declared on neo-nazi groups, certain motorcycle clubs, islamist groups, and also certain kurdish organizations.

    • 11 1
      Aussie
      • mats
      • 12.07.10
      • 15:55

      IHH in Germany and IHH in Turkey is not the some. Read the text to the end.

  • 2. 27 13
  • 1. 34 25
    DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS...
    • mustafa
    • 12.07.10
    • 14:30

    You should know that, IHH germany is complately different organisation than IHH Turkey... No relation between them. what kind of ignorance that... LOL...

    • 13 40
      Wake up!
      • Simon_Of_Sydney
      • 12.07.10
      • 15:11

      Whether they are in Turkey; Germany or the moon; ALL organizations emanating from Turks are involved in barbarism. If the Turks were really concerned with the welfare of humans, they would not be involved in the brutal and continued occupation of Cyprus, Kurdish villages; or the continued killings of Christians in Asia Minor.

    • 18 26
      true....
      • Yoni
      • 12.07.10
      • 15:12

      according to DER SPIEGEL, IHH Germany is NOT related to the flotilla one IHH. Nevertheless, both organizations are Islamist in character, support terrorism in the Middle East and therefore ought to be outlawed in ANY civilized country. kudos to the German authoritities.

    • 0 0
      Unintentionally revealing.
      • Colin Wright
      • 12.07.10
      • 20:42

      'ALL organizations emanating from Turks are involved in barbarism.' Simon presumably doesn't realize it, but that remark tells us about exactly one person.

    • 0 0
      One's tempted to ask,,,
      • Colin Wright
      • 12.07.10
      • 21:17

      'Nevertheless, both organizations are Islamist in character, support terrorism in the Middle East and therefore ought to be outlawed in ANY civilized country.' Are both criteria necessary, or are they indeed distinguishable at all in your mind?

    • 0 0
      are you aboriginal ?
      • ed
      • 13.07.10
      • 04:26

      they are remaining few in number cos ur govt killed them and took the aussie land from them . thanks to kevin Ruud for rememering and the apology he gave he is a very understandiung guy and leader