Germany’s southern state of Hesse is preparing legislation that would make questioning Israel’s right to exist a criminal offense, according to the Zeit weekly newspaper on Wednesday.
Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein and his Justice Minister Christian Heinz are planning to present a corresponding bill Thursday.
The bill is then scheduled to be introduced in Germany's upper house, the Bundesrat, on May 8. Further details have not been announced.
Critics of the bill say the move is aimed at stifling any kind of criticism of Israel.
The Hesse Justice Ministry had already called for a new criminal provision in 2023. It also referred to posts on social media.
