A Christmas market held by the Michaelskirche parish in Darmstadt, Germany, is at the center of a police investigation after reports surfaced of merchandise sold with symbols linked to the terrorist group Hamas.

The investigation focuses on potentially incendiary merchandise that includes maps omitting Israel and cookies with controversial inscriptions sold at the church-organized event, The Christian Post reported.

Last Sunday, the parish's annual Christmas market took an unexpected turn when attendees reported seeing items for sale that featured the red triangle emblem of Hamas, a symbol that has been banned in Germany since July. The market, which aimed to promote peace and support Palestinian causes, quickly sparked a backlash.

Controversial Merchandise Sparks Community Outrage

In addition to the keyrings, other products sold at the market included cookies inscribed with "Palestinian Lives Matter" and maps depicting Palestine without Israel, alongside stickers with phrases like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The incident drew immediate criticism from various quarters, leading to an official investigation by the local authorities.

The controversy escalated as community leaders voiced their concerns. Daniel Neumann, chairman of the Jewish community in Darmstadt, criticized the church for its involvement, stating, “It is a scandal that a Protestant church community either naively allows itself to be involved in this or maliciously does so.” Darmstadt’s mayor, Hanno Benz, and Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society, both denounced the event as antisemitic and an affront to Israeli legitimacy.

The prosecutors, led by Senior Prosecutor Robert Hartmann, are examining whether the sale of such items constitutes a criminal offense. Hartmann confirmed, “We are investigating whether criminal offenses may have been committed,” focusing on the use of banned symbols and incitement of hatred.

Church and Organizers Under Scrutiny

The Michaelskirche parish, in collaboration with the group Darmstadt4Palestine, organized the market ostensibly to support Palestinian humanitarian needs. However, the backlash has put both the parish and its partners under investigation. Pastor Manfred Werner of the Michaelskirche parish responded to the furor by stating the contentious symbols were not approved by church leaders and pledged that such an oversight would not occur again.

“In connection with the Christmas market on the third Sunday of Advent, a pro-Palestinian solidarity group displayed symbols that exceeded the limits of tolerance. The display of these symbols was not discussed with me and, as it was inhumane, I would never have permitted it,” said Pastor Werner, expressing his regret over the incident.

Pastor Werner also criticized the media's role in escalating the situation, particularly targeting a journalist who took photographs of the controversial items. He argued that direct communication rather than public exposure might have led to a quicker resolution. “A journalist photographed and published these symbols. If he had pointed these symbols out to me or the organizers of the Christmas market, they would have been removed from the Christmas market immediately,” Werner added.

Reactions from Religious and Civic Leaders

The Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau also condemned the market’s affiliation with divisive symbols. They clarified that while advocacy for humanitarian issues is valid, promoting anti-Israel sentiments under church auspices is unacceptable. “The desire to stand up for people in need — including in Gaza — is fundamentally legitimate. However, a general anti-Israel and delegitimizing choice of words and the sale of objects with symbols that are connected to terrorist organizations and the questioning of Israel’s right to exist are unacceptable to us,” the church body stated.

The incident has prompted a broader discussion on the role of community and religious organizations in political advocacy, particularly concerning international conflicts. This event at Michaelskirche parish exemplifies the complex interplay between local solidarity actions and global political sensitivities, highlighting the challenges faced by religious communities when engaging with contentious geopolitical issues. Pastor Werner concluded with an apology to all offended parties, emphasizing his commitment to dialogue and understanding going forward.

As the investigation continues, the outcomes will likely influence how religious and community groups manage their involvement in international causes and the use of symbols in public events, potentially setting precedents for future community-organized activities in Germany and beyond.