Evangelical Church Shuts Down Darmstadt Congregation Over Hamas Symbols at Christmas Market

The closure follows the display of anti-Israel symbols and Hamas-associated items, prompting investigations and leadership changes within the church.

The Evangelical Church in Hessen and Nassau (EKHN) temporarily closed the Michaelsgemeinde in Darmstadt after a controversial Christmas market featured Hamas symbols and anti-Israel messaging.
Items sold at the market included keychains with the Hamas logo, maps labeling Israel as Palestine, and slogans like 'From the river to the sea,' which is widely seen as a call for Israel's destruction.
The event, organized with a pro-Palestinian group, led to multiple police investigations, media scrutiny, and internal church resignations, including the removal of the event's organizer from the church board.
The church has reassigned congregation members to nearby parishes for religious services and is assessing the future role of the congregation's pastor, who has faced threats and temporary suspension.
Church officials discovered unauthorized use of the congregation's facilities by various groups and are reevaluating access and governance structures moving forward.