In the wake of a surge in online hate posts following the Gaza war and a recent fatal stabbing incident, the German government has agreed to introduce new measures to make it easier to deport foreigners who glorify acts of terror. The cabinet has approved a draft law that will allow authorities to deport individuals who make a single comment or post that condones or glorifies terrorist offenses on social media.
The move comes as officials have reported a significant increase in hate speech on social media, particularly from Islamists, following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The fatal stabbing of a police officer in Mannheim last month also triggered a wave of hate posts, leading to calls for tougher action against online extremism.
According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, the new law is aimed at combating Islamist and anti-Semitic hate crimes on the internet. “We are taking a tough stance against those who promote violence and extremism online,” she said. “Anyone who does not have a German passport and glorifies terrorist acts here has no place in our country.”
While officials stressed that the new law will not target individuals who simply “like” or share online content without actively promoting violence, it will focus on those who engage in real glorification of violence. Faeser emphasized that online hate speech can fuel a climate of violence that encourages extremists to commit further acts of terrorism.
The new law still needs to be passed by parliament, but Faeser hopes it will be adopted after the summer recess. In recent weeks, several individuals have already been convicted for their online hate speech, including a Munich imam who was fined €4,500 for posting about celebrating the month of October.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also weighed in on the issue, saying that glorifying terrorist offenses is a “slap in the face” for victims, their families, and democratic values. The new law aims to address this issue head-on and send a strong message that such behavior is unacceptable in Germany.
