Israel Demands Germany Halt Funding for Pastor Praising Oct. 7 Massacre

Israel's embassy in Berlin has formally requested that the German state of Baden-Württemberg immediately cease all public funding and engagement with Palestinian pastor Mitri Raheb. Raheb, who also serves as the president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, drew international condemnation for praising the October 7th massacre as "creative resistance" and for expressing support for "de-colonization" in the context of the conflict. The embassy stated it views Raheb's statements and publications with extreme gravity, highlighting his social media posts on the day of the attack where he lauded the "heinous terrorist acts" and his subsequent justifications of the violence.

Despite Raheb's controversial remarks, the local coalition government in Baden-Württemberg, comprised of the Green Party and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has reportedly continued close cooperation and funding for organizations linked to him, ignoring criticism. The Israeli demand has garnered support from Jewish and Christian Zionist organizations globally, which have sharply criticized the German authorities' stance. John Hagee, president of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), stated that any entity funding Raheb's "Jew-hatred" becomes complicit in a crime and a moral stain on Germany.

Additionally, the Simon Wiesenthal Center has urged local government officials to stop overlooking Raheb's rhetoric and to act against antisemitism and support for Hamas within their jurisdiction. The embassy's appeal adds to growing criticism of the tolerance shown by some officials in Baden-Württemberg towards extremist organizations, including those with pro-Hamas ties and twin city agreements with Tehran. Holocaust survivors and members of the Jewish community in Germany are calling for a firm and uncompromising stance from the authorities, demanding an immediate halt to funds for those justifying attacks on Jews and urging the demonstration of moral integrity.