Germany Advances Bill to Criminalize Calls for Israel’s Destruction
Germany’s upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, has approved moving forward with a proposal that would make certain public statements denying Israel’s right to exist or calling for its destruction a criminal offense.
The bill, introduced by the state of Hesse, would allow penalties of up to five years in prison or fines for statements that encourage antisemitic violence or unlawful acts.
The proposal will now move to the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house, for further consideration after the summer parliamentary recess.
Civil rights groups and free speech advocates have criticized the measure, warning that it could limit legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and affect constitutional protections for freedom of expression. Supporters argue the law is aimed at preventing antisemitic incitement.
