The announcement by the terrorist group Islamic State to target and attack additional locations in Europe, the US, and Israel following the devastating attack in Moscow has raised significant concerns in Germany. The emphasis has been placed on the threat of terrorist attacks by unknown Islamist lone wolves. In a 40-minute audio message released on Thursday, IS spokesman Abu Hudhaifah al-Ansari called on the movement’s lone wolves to attack and target Crusaders (Christians) and Jews everywhere, especially in Europe, the US, the heart of the Jewish state, and Palestine.
Alexander Throm, the domestic policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, warned against taking the IS declaration lightly. He emphasized the need for maximum readiness of the state against all extremists and terrorists in Germany. Throm criticized the blocking of further legal investigative powers for security authorities by the FDP and the Greens, stating that the storage of IP addresses and online searches were necessary to prevent a significant security risk to the population.
Throm expressed confidence in the German security authorities to monitor known threats, particularly towards Jewish institutions. However, he highlighted the challenge of identifying unknown threats and stressed the importance of empowering security authorities to thoroughly investigate with the latest technology. Throm criticized the FDP and the Greens for prioritizing data protection over the safety of the population, stating that data protection was increasingly becoming a shield for criminals.
The deputy SPD parliamentary group leader, Dirk Wiese, stressed the vigilance of German security authorities in combating the threat of Islamist terrorist groups. He highlighted recent incidents that were foiled by security forces, demonstrating their alertness and effectiveness. Wiese emphasized the need for continued vigilance within society and addressing the threat posed by Islamist lone wolves, who are difficult to detect and stop.
In response to the increased threats to Jewish institutions, Lamya Kaddor, an interior policy expert from the Green Party, called for enhanced security measures and potentially increasing protection for these facilities. She warned of the active presence of Islamist actors and networks in the digital space, targeting young individuals for radicalization and potential terrorist activities. Kaddor suggested considering the prohibition of Islamist organizations and blocking relevant Islamist digital portals to address the growing threat.
The FDP interior politician, Ann-Veruschka Jurisch, acknowledged the efforts of the intelligence services and the police in addressing the threat but expressed concerns about the adequacy of a national early warning system to link external and internal threats effectively. She advocated for the establishment of a National Security Council at the strategic level and optimal cooperation between federal and state authorities at the Joint Terrorism Defense Center. Meanwhile, the interior policy spokesman for the AfD parliamentary group, Martin Hess, criticized the lack of preparedness of German security authorities against the terrorist threat and called for a shift in focus towards combating Islamism as the greatest security danger.
