GERMANY has been accused of attempting to criminalise the Palestinian resistance via legislation that would ban the display of Hamas flags.

A Bill backed by all major parties is to be debated in parliament next week.

The move comes weeks after tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the country demanding freedom, justice and liberation for Palestine during Israel’s 11-day bombardment of Gaza.

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parliamentary deputy Thorstein Frei said the proposed ban sends “a clear signal to our Jewish citizens.

“We do not want the flags to be waved by terrorist organisations on German soil,” he said.

Hamas, the ruling party in the besieged Gaza Strip, is designated a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and the European Union.

Its distinctive green-and-white flag was seen during the recent demonstrations against Israel’s attack on Gaza.

By contrast, the Israeli flag was raised in a large number of government buildings during the assault on Gaza in an expression of solidarity with Tel Aviv.

The German state has been accused of “escalating attacks in an attempt to intimidate, repress and subjugate the growing activity and involvement of Palestinian youth and communities in leading social justice movements throughout Germany.”

The Bundestag is also considering legislation that would stop people from becoming naturalised as German citizens if they are convicted of offences deemed to be anti-semitic, including participation in pro-Palestinian protests.

Students against Right-Wing Hate has accused the German government of racism by labelling resistance groups anti-semitic while sweeping the country’s own fascist history under the carpet.

“Anti-semitism is exported to the ‘evil, non-German’ others,” it said in a statement, adding that the Bill will not affect German fascists, who are the main perpetrators of anti-semitic hate crimes.

The Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network said it refused to be intimidated by such attacks on the Palestinian movement.

“The symbols and images of the resistance live in the hearts of the Palestinian people. They will be raised around the world and in every country because they are symbols of hope for humanity — of those who fight for justice and liberation despite the massive military might of the oppressor,” it said in a statement today.

“They blossom on walls in graffiti, in art and murals, in flags at protests and everywhere that people stand together against racism and colonialism,” it added.