Authorities in Hesse, Germany, are investigating a Protestant church after symbols associated with the terrorist organisation Hamas were reportedly sold at its Christmas market.

Prosecutors are examining whether the Michaelskirche parish in Darmstadt violated laws banning such symbols or incited hatred during the event.

Complaints were filed after keyrings bearing Hamas’ red triangle emblem, maps of Palestine without Israel, and cookies with political slogans like “Palestinian Lives Matter” were displayed.

Stickers with the controversial phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” were also allegedly sold, according to The Christian Post.

The church’s pastor, Manfred Werner, said he was unaware of the items beforehand and would have had them removed if informed.

He emphasised the church's zero-tolerance stance toward antisemitism and apologised to the Jewish community and those offended.

Darmstadt’s mayor condemned the incident, calling it intolerable for antisemitism to surface under a church's banner.

Regional church authorities and antisemitism watchdogs echoed these concerns, labeling the incident deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

The investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors determining whether criminal charges will be pursued.