German Christian YouTubers Under Investigation Over Video on Islamist-Related Antisemitism
Two Christian YouTubers in Hamburg are under investigation following the publication of a video criticising Islamist-related antisemitism in the context of Hamas’ 7 October attack on Israel. The case concerns a video titled “Islam is no peace”, in which the YouTubers commented on anti-Semitic slogans during pro-Palestinian demonstrations and stated that “Anti-Semitism is officially allowed again in Germany”. The investigation has raised concerns about the application of Germany’s blasphemy laws and possible unequal treatment in cases involving criticism of religion.
Two German Christian content creators, Niko and Tino, who run the YouTube channel Eternal Life, are under investigation by the Hamburg public prosecutor’s office following a video addressing antisemitism in the context of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas demonstrations in Germany.
In the 2024 video, the creators focused on what they described as rising antisemitism, linking it to Islamist-influenced rhetoric and public demonstrations following the Hamas attack, with particular reference to Islam in that context. During the footage, Niko commented sarcastically on the situation, stating: “Anti-Semitism is officially allowed again in Germany.” The video, which was later flagged by YouTube as “dangerous” and removed, included the statement that hatred of Jews “does not come from God”.
The Hamburg public prosecutor’s office opened proceedings against Niko in February 2025 under Article 166 of the German Criminal Code, relating to the alleged insult of religious or ideological beliefs in a manner capable of disturbing public peace. In April 2026, investigations against Tino became public. Their lawyer, Marco Wingert, has argued that the case should be dropped, stating that the video constituted an expression of Christian belief and a response to antisemitism rather than an attempt to incite hatred, and that it falls within the scope of freedom of expression.
The case has also prompted criticism from within police-aligned Christian circles. The Christian Police Association (CPV), through its federal chairman Holger Clas, questioned the duration and handling of the proceedings and stated that the comments were “clearly covered by freedom of expression”. Clas also criticised a possible unequal treatment: “From my many years of practice, I am not aware of any case in which statements critical of the church have been prosecuted in such a criminal way. This gives the impression that double standards are being applied.”
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