Police raids in the southern German state of Bavaria today targeted 17 people who allegedly made anti-Semitic comments online and celebrated terror attacks on Israel by the Islamist Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The suspects are under criminal investigation for incitement, using symbols of banned terrorist organizations or endorsing criminal acts with posts they made on social media, according to Bavarian police.

The suspects are two women and 15 men aged 18-62, according to authorities. Police said they questioned the suspects and seized evidence, including cellphones and laptops, during raids in Munich and elsewhere in Bavaria.

A suspect had allegedly sent a WhatsApp chat image showing a clown with the words “Kill the Jews with poison gas.”

Another suspect allegedly posted on his account that “Jewish sons” deserve nothing more than to be slaughtered “and exterminated.” The post reportedly ended with the slogan “Freedom in Palestine.”

According to police, another suspect posted an image of Hitler shortly after October 7 with the caption: “I could kill all the Jews, but I let some live to show you why I killed them.” Next to it was a Palestinian flag, with the caption “Freedom in Palestine” and a victory sign emoji.

“Unfortunately, anti-Semitism characterizes the everyday life of many Jews in Germany. The terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel also has an impact on their lives in Germany,” said Michael Weinchirl, the Bavarian police commissioner responsible for investigating hate crimes.

“It is important to show the Jews and the Israelis that we support them here in Bavaria, that we protect them here and also protect them from hostility,” Weinchirl stressed. He pledged that the police would punish criminal statements made both online and at demonstrations.