10.07.2026 16:51
The German Federal Council has approved a draft law that provides for prison sentences of up to five years for those who publicly deny Israel's right to exist or call for the elimination of Israel. The bill will be debated in the Federal Assembly after the summer break.
The German Federal Council (Bundesrat) has approved a draft law that provides for the punishment of those who publicly deny Israel's right to exist or call for the abolition of the State of Israel.
5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR GENOCIDE PROTESTS
The draft law, submitted by the state of Hesse, received the support of the majority of states at the 1067th plenary session of the Council held in Berlin. The draft is expected to be discussed in the Federal Parliament after the summer break.
According to the regulation, those who publicly deny Israel's right to exist in a public space or at a meeting, or call for the abolition of the state, may be subject to up to 5 years in prison or a fine, if these statements are likely to incite anti-Semitic violence or arbitrary acts.
GERMAN MINISTER SAYS CRITICISM WILL NOT BE BLOCKED
Hesse State Justice Minister Christian Heinz argued that the draft law is not intended to prevent criticism of the policies of the Israeli government, asserting that the regulation is necessary for the protection of Jewish life in Germany.
"INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE CONSTITUTION'S 'FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION' PROVISIONS"
The Scientific Services of the Federal Parliament, in their legal assessment, noted that a special criminal regulation targeting a specific opinion may be controversial in terms of compatibility with the Constitution's provisions guaranteeing freedom of expression.