The federal government is planning a ban on the operation of the Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah. As SPIEGEL learned from government circles, the Foreign Ministry, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice agreed on this last week. A final decision could be taken next week at the Conference of Interior Ministers.
As a result, activities and members of the militia in Germany would now be treated as equal to the Kurdish PKK and the "Islamic State". All activities of Hizballah would be forbidden in Germany. Thus, for example, the flag of the Lebanese terrorist militia (green rifle on a yellow background) should no longer be shown.
The self proclaimed "Party of God" terrorized Israel for decades with missiles and attacks. It is supported by Iran and is also allied with the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. In Lebanon, it is recognized as a political party and plays a role in the complex power structure of the country.
Resistance from France
So far, the EU has only banned the so-called military arm of Hezbollah. A complete EU-wide ban failed in Brussels mainly because of the resistance of France. Therefore, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) since the summer urged to ban Hezbollah under paragraph 129 of the German Penal Code.
As SPIEGEL also learned from government circles, the Federal Ministry of Justice granted the Attorney General in Karlsruhe in September a general power of attorney for investigations against Hezbollah's activities in Germany. As a result, the Federal Prosecutor's Office no longer has to seek the permission of the Minister of Justice on a case-by-case basis, but can become active on its own initiative.
The demands for a Hezbollah ban have been getting louder and louder. Above all, US Ambassador Richard Grenell exerted pressure on the Federal Government via Twitter.