Overview

• The Evangelical Michaelsgemeinde in Darmstadt held an 'anti-colonial' Christmas market featuring items with Hamas symbols and slogans calling for the eradication of Israel.
• The Evangelical Church in Hessen and Nassau (EKHN) has suspended the pastor, Manfred Werner, from his duties pending an investigation into the incident.
• The Jüdische Gemeinde Darmstadt, along with other groups and individuals, has filed criminal complaints citing the promotion of terrorist symbols and incitement to hatred.
• Local officials, including Darmstadt's mayor and the state’s antisemitism commissioner, condemned the event as antisemitic and accused it of delegitimizing Israel's right to exist.
• Pastor Werner claims he was unaware of the nature of the items being sold and has apologized, while the church and prosecutors continue to investigate potential legal violations.