Germany is revoking the citizenship of a recently naturalised man of Syrian background in Berlin after he allegedly praised Hamas on Instagram one day after receiving his German passport. According to reports, he grew up in Berlin from early childhood, obtained German citizenship under the 2024 naturalisation rules and then posted a picture of two Hamas fighters with a Palestine flag and the caption “Heroes of Palestine” with a green heart. Security services flagged the post, and the Berlin immigration authority treated it as evidence that he had violated the declaration he had just signed; a withdrawal notice was issued and sent to his lawyer. If the decision becomes final, he will lose his German citizenship and the authorities would then have to decide in a separate procedure whether he can remain in Germany at all.

Germany’s federal interior minister has publicly backed Berlin’s decision, saying that naturalised citizens should forfeit their nationality when they are found not to uphold German values. The move comes as Germany tightens immigration and citizenship rules amid a broader debate about who belongs in the country and a wider pattern of repressive state action against political dissent concerning Palestine.

This case does not come out of nowhere. Palestinians and others racialised as Middle Eastern or Muslim report being warned during naturalisation interviews that joining demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine could endanger their chances of becoming citizens. In one case, a person was reportedly threatened with denaturalisation over an allegedly antisemitic rap text. In other documented incidents, naturalised citizens have been told that statements on Palestine might later be interpreted as contradicting their oath and used to trigger revocation proceedings. In effect, Palestine-related political expression can endanger German citizenship for up to ten years after it has been granted.

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Law on paper, loyalty in practice

Under §35 of the German Nationality Act (StAG), citizenship can be........

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