German authorities conducted raids on the homes of five pro-Palestinian activists in Berlin on Monday, marking the latest in a series of Islamophobic and aggressive actions against activists against the ongoing Israeli genocide on Gaza. The raids, involving over 120 law enforcement officers, targeted several locations across the capital, with mobile phones, computers, and other data storage devices being confiscated as part of the investigation.

The men, aged between 18 and 40, are suspected of publishing online posts containing “anti-Semitic content and inciting violence.” One of the individuals is also under investigation for a physical attack on a local politician, during which he allegedly threw a microphone stand at Berlin’s culture minister. Authorities have intensified their scrutiny of pro-Palestinian activism, especially since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, following accusations that these activists promote hate speech and violent acts.

This raid comes on the heels of earlier crackdowns, including a significant operation in July when German police raided 53 properties associated with the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH). The IZH, a prominent Shia Muslim organization in Germany, was accused of promoting “radical Islamist and anti-constitutional objectives,” a claim tied to its alleged links to Lebanon’s resistance group Hezb-ollah. The center’s closure has been seen as part of a broader effort by German authorities to stifle pro-Palestinian voices in the country, a move many critics argue is politically motivated.

The German government’s actions are seen by some as a response to pressure from the Zionist lobby, with concerns over rising anti-Semitism being used as justification. However, pro-Palestinian activists and human rights groups argue that this is an attempt to suppress legitimate political dissent and criticism of Israeli policies.

These developments have sparked a wider debate in Germany about the balance between combating alleged hate speech and protecting freedom of expression. As the Israeli War on Gaza and Lebanon continues to escalate, the German government’s response to pro-Palestinian activism remains a highly charged and controversial issue, with tensions likely to rise further as these investigations continue.