German Banks Cut Ties with Left-Wing Group Supporting Antifa

A left-wing organization, Rote Hilfe eV (Red Aid), which expresses solidarity with the U.S.-listed Antifa terrorist group, announced on Tuesday that two banks in Germany have closed its accounts.

The news came after GLS Bank and Sparkasse decided to terminate their banking services with Red Aid. This occurred around the same time that the Trump administration officially recognized Antifa Ost as a foreign terrorist entity in November, making it illegal to finance the group, according to Red Aid spokesman Alex Schneider in an interview with the left-leaning publication, Neues Deutschland. Red Aid claims to provide legal defense funding for leftist activists globally. Schneider, who is also a member of Antifa Ost, a group with members who have faced convictions for violent acts in Germany, expressed concern over the account cancellations.

“We stand in solidarity with those targeted due to their affiliation with Antifa Ost. We fear that the banks will face pressure if they continue to work with us,” Schneider noted, mentioning that Red Aid hadn’t received a detailed explanation for the closures.

Red Aid, as well as the banks involved, did not respond to inquiries from the media outlet. The State Department redirected questions to the Treasury Department, which also did not provide any comments.

Despite the official designation by the State Department, Schneider argued that Antifa Ost isn’t a legitimate organization. Interestingly, a supportive website, Soli Antifa Ost, is currently soliciting donations to support Red Aid’s financial efforts on behalf of the Antifa Ost defendants.

Schneider indicated that the closure by GLS Bank would take effect in February, adding that Red Aid intends to pursue legal measures to protect its financial stability.

“The account suspension represents a significant blow to Rote Hilfe,” Schneider stated. “Yet, our work extends beyond just distributing funds. We offer political support, guidance to comrades under repression, and connections to competent lawyers based on solidarity. Rote Hilfe will continue its mission to support the politically persecuted; we just need to figure out the next steps.”

Authorities have associated Antifa Ost, sometimes referred to as the “Hammer Band,” with violent attacks in Germany using hammers and other weapons against those they categorize as fascists. Recent reports indicate that German officials believe the threat level posed by Antifa Ost has decreased significantly in recent months following increased government prosecutions and sentencing of its more violent members. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has mentioned openness to imposing terrorism sanctions should more left-wing foreign organizations enable threats against Americans.

This decision has drawn scrutiny and accusations of political motivations, with Schneider noting that account closures have been happening since November.