Several European law enforcement agencies have recently cracked down on networks tied to Hamas as concerns continue to grow following the October 7 attacks on Israel about the financing and operations of the terrorist group on European soil.
In the last few months, authorities in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden have arrested individuals accused of plotting attacks against Jewish institutions and an Israeli embassy in Europe.
In December, authorities also raided businesses and residences, including the home of Majed Alzeer, a British citizen who moved to Germany in 2014. Alzeer was accused by German authorities of being a “secret” Hamas representative who played a “central role” in the group’s operations and outreach in Europe, according to media reports by Der Spiegel and The Times.
In late 2023, the German interior ministry announced a ban on all Hamas activities. France and Italy also called for stricter measures against the group and its supporters.
And in January, the European Union (EU) announced a new sanctions framework for restrictive measures against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Under the new measures, the EU may target supporters of these terrorist groups, as well as those who facilitate, enable, or supply arms and goods to them.
Despite sanctions over the past few years, accused Hamas members continued to operate across Europe.
Designated Hamas Proxies in Europe
Germany’s domestic intelligence service estimates that Hamas has over 400 members in the country, the Associated Press reported. The U.S. and Israeli governments have also designated several individuals, businesses, and organizations as proxies of Hamas in Europe.
One such organization is the Palestinian Return Centre, which was designated by the Israeli government in 2010. The organization is registered in the U.K. and is one of 4,000 NGOs that hold Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), providing it with access to UN forums and special events.
Alzeer, the alleged Hamas associate, has served as a director of the Palestinian Return Centre since 2009. He is also a prominent spokesperson and representative of the organization at events across Europe, including appearances at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
In the last few months, authorities in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden have arrested individuals accused of plotting attacks against Jewish institutions and an Israeli embassy in Europe.
In December, authorities also raided businesses and residences, including the home of Majed Alzeer, a British citizen who moved to Germany in 2014. Alzeer was accused by German authorities of being a “secret” Hamas representative who played a “central role” in the group’s operations and outreach in Europe, according to media reports by Der Spiegel and The Times.
In late 2023, the German interior ministry announced a ban on all Hamas activities. France and Italy also called for stricter measures against the group and its supporters.
And in January, the European Union (EU) announced a new sanctions framework for restrictive measures against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Under the new measures, the EU may target supporters of these terrorist groups, as well as those who facilitate, enable, or supply arms and goods to them.
Despite sanctions over the past few years, accused Hamas members continued to operate across Europe.
Designated Hamas Proxies in Europe
Germany’s domestic intelligence service estimates that Hamas has over 400 members in the country, the Associated Press reported. The U.S. and Israeli governments have also designated several individuals, businesses, and organizations as proxies of Hamas in Europe.
One such organization is the Palestinian Return Centre, which was designated by the Israeli government in 2010. The organization is registered in the U.K. and is one of 4,000 NGOs that hold Special Consultative Status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), providing it with access to UN forums and special events.
Alzeer, the alleged Hamas associate, has served as a director of the Palestinian Return Centre since 2009. He is also a prominent spokesperson and representative of the organization at events across Europe, including appearances at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Majed Alzeer at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2015 (left) and 2018 (right). Sources: UN WebTV and Meta.
Alzeer's home was targeted in the German raids against Hamas networks in late 2023, which involved approximately 500 law enforcement officers in five German federal states, as reported by Der Spiegel.
He was neither arrested nor charged by authorities, and he has not made any public statement regarding the raid. Alzeer has previously denied any association with Hamas.
A review of official records, social media, and other news reports reveals that Alzeer has maintained close association with organizations and individuals that are reportedly tied to Hamas.
One such individual is Adel Abdullah Doghman. In the early 2000s, Doghman was the founder and chairman of the Palestinian Association in Austria (PVOE) when the U.S. government designated it for being “controlled by the leader of Hamas in Austria.”
In a 2022 social media post, Alzeer celebrated his 30-year "companionship and partnership" working with Doghman in Europe.
He was neither arrested nor charged by authorities, and he has not made any public statement regarding the raid. Alzeer has previously denied any association with Hamas.
A review of official records, social media, and other news reports reveals that Alzeer has maintained close association with organizations and individuals that are reportedly tied to Hamas.
One such individual is Adel Abdullah Doghman. In the early 2000s, Doghman was the founder and chairman of the Palestinian Association in Austria (PVOE) when the U.S. government designated it for being “controlled by the leader of Hamas in Austria.”
In a 2022 social media post, Alzeer celebrated his 30-year "companionship and partnership" working with Doghman in Europe.
Majed Alzeer (left) pictured with Adel Doghman (right) in a June 2022 social media post in which Alzeer stated: “Yesterday, Monday 27 June, in Berlin in the company of my beloved brother Adel Abdullah (Abu Albara). A companionship and partnership, shoulder-to-shoulder in service of the just Palestinian cause on the continent of Europe for more than 34 years.” Source: Meta.
Alzeer and Doghman have also regularly attended annual conferences organized by the NGO Palestinians in Europe Conference, which take place in a different European country each year.
Both Alzeer and Doghman previously held leadership positions within the organization, with Alzeer serving as president and Doghman as secretary-general until 2021.
The most recent conference, which was held in Sweden in May 2023 and attended by Alzeer and Doghman, received criticism from local media outlets for its alleged connection to Hamas.
Alzeer is also the current vice president of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) while Doghman serves as a member of the organization’s general secretariat.
The PCPA was designated by Israel in 2021 as a “proxy” for Hamas. In 2017, the organization hosted an event that featured Maen Bashour, a director of the U.S.-sanctioned Al-Quds International Foundation.
Support for Accused Hamas Members
Alzeer has also advocated for accused Hamas members, including an associate of the terrorist group who is currently detained by Dutch authorities.
Amin Abu Rashid, a Palestinian-Dutch citizen, was arrested by Dutch authorities in June 2023 for allegedly fundraising for Hamas and transferring millions to the group.
In August 2023, Alzeer published an article on the PCPA website calling for the release of Abu Rashid. In it, Alzeer detailed his friendship with Abu Rashid stating, “I knew Brother Amin Abu Rashid, lived with him, and worked shoulder to shoulder with him for our Palestinian cause and defending its justice in the European arena for the past three decades.”
Alzeer has also expressed support for Abu Rashid on social media, calling the recent crackdowns across Europe an “example of intimidation of activists and restrictions on the freedom of expression.”
Both Alzeer and Doghman previously held leadership positions within the organization, with Alzeer serving as president and Doghman as secretary-general until 2021.
The most recent conference, which was held in Sweden in May 2023 and attended by Alzeer and Doghman, received criticism from local media outlets for its alleged connection to Hamas.
Alzeer is also the current vice president of the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) while Doghman serves as a member of the organization’s general secretariat.
The PCPA was designated by Israel in 2021 as a “proxy” for Hamas. In 2017, the organization hosted an event that featured Maen Bashour, a director of the U.S.-sanctioned Al-Quds International Foundation.
Support for Accused Hamas Members
Alzeer has also advocated for accused Hamas members, including an associate of the terrorist group who is currently detained by Dutch authorities.
Amin Abu Rashid, a Palestinian-Dutch citizen, was arrested by Dutch authorities in June 2023 for allegedly fundraising for Hamas and transferring millions to the group.
In August 2023, Alzeer published an article on the PCPA website calling for the release of Abu Rashid. In it, Alzeer detailed his friendship with Abu Rashid stating, “I knew Brother Amin Abu Rashid, lived with him, and worked shoulder to shoulder with him for our Palestinian cause and defending its justice in the European arena for the past three decades.”
Alzeer has also expressed support for Abu Rashid on social media, calling the recent crackdowns across Europe an “example of intimidation of activists and restrictions on the freedom of expression.”
A December 2023 social media post by Majed Alzeer advocating for the release of Amin Abu Rashid. Source: Meta.
Abu Rashed has established several organizations in the Netherlands and Belgium. He served as secretary of the Palestinians in Europe Conference under Alzeer until he replaced him as President of the organization in 2021.
