THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Berlin authorities have begun proceedings to strip a newly naturalised German of his citizenship after he allegedly praised the militant group Hamas on social media — just one day after receiving his German passport. The case, which has drawn national attention, is one of the first major tests of Germany’s new citizenship law and could have far-reaching implications for millions of naturalised citizens across the country.
According to information leaked to the press, the man — a former Syrian national who arrived in Berlin as a preschool child — posted an Instagram image showing two Hamas fighters holding a Palestinian flag, captioned “Heroes of Palestine” followed by a green heart emoji. The post reportedly appeared one day after he became a German citizen. Media reports also claim he had previously drawn police attention at pro-Palestinian demonstrations held after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel.
Following notification from security agencies, the Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) initiated the withdrawal of his naturalisation, arguing that the man had deceived the authorities during the citizenship process. Since June 2024, applicants must sign a declaration affirming their commitment to Germany’s constitutional values, including the protection of Jewish life. Praising Hamas — classified as a terrorist organisation in Germany and the EU — is viewed as contradicting this declaration.
Officials say the man was given four weeks to respond to the allegations but did not do so. A withdrawal notice is now being sent to his lawyer. If upheld, the decision would revoke his German citizenship, compel the district office to confiscate his passport, and legally return him to foreign-national status. He would still have the right to appeal, first through an administrative objection and, if necessary, before the Berlin Administrative Court.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt publicly welcomed the move, saying support for Hamas is incompatible with Germany’s constitutional order. Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner also praised the authorities, stating that the commitment to democratic values “is not a mere formality” in the naturalisation process.
The case highlights the heightened scrutiny around extremist expressions online and the importance of the new loyalty declaration. For many aspiring citizens, it underscores the need to understand that support for extremist groups — even on social media — may be interpreted as contradicting Germany’s democratic values and could have serious legal consequences.
At the same time, legal scholars caution that revoking citizenship is an exceptional measure that must withstand strict judicial review. Whether this case ultimately sets a precedent will depend on how the courts interpret the man’s intent, the credibility of the alleged deception, and whether the Instagram post is sufficient evidence of violating the obligations of naturalisation.
For now, the case marks a significant moment in Germany’s evolving debate on integration, identity and the boundaries of democratic values in a diverse society.
Adira Kallo
