Hamas and ISIS finance themselves through a global network of private supporters. According to terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler, this generates millions, often through many small individual donations, including from Germany. They often disguise their activities as humanitarian aid in order to obtain money. According to Schindler, they sometimes even blackmail aid organizations in crisis areas. IS is particularly active in Germany. After attacks, it deliberately spreads new messages to demonstrate strength, attract new donors, and prepare further attacks. Islamists, whether from IS or Hamas, operate their own propaganda channels on the Telegram platform, spreading messages and actively soliciting donations.

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed about terrorism financing in Germany for BR radio feature. “The ‘caliphate’ of the so-called ‘Islamic State’ is long gone. But IS supporters continue to carry out attacks. And new Islamist structures are emerging in prison camps in Syria. The necessary funds for this come from donations, including from Germany. Donors are sometimes unaware of what they are doing, say lawyers, and investigators in this country are having a hard time, say experts.”

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler cited on terrorism financing in Germany.

From the perspective of terrorism expert Hans-Jakob Schindler of the research organization "Counter Extremism Project," this makes the work of investigators in Germany extremely complicated: "You practically have to prove that this euro was intended for a Kalashnikov, explosives, or the preparation of an attack. That's a level of stupidity that few terrorist financiers achieve."

"You effectively have to prove that a specific euro was intended to go towards the purchase of a Kalashnikov or explosives or the preparation of a specific attack," explains Hans-Jakob Schindler of the New York, London and Berlin-based Counter Extremism Project (CEP). "And [giving away such evidence] would be a level of stupidity which few terror financers ever reach."

"You practically have to prove that every euro was intended for a Kalashnikov, explosives, or the preparation of an attack. In this respect, you make it extremely complicated for investigators here in Germany—in terms of the possibility of conviction." Hans-Jakob Schindler, terrorism expert at the research organization Counter Extremism Project.

Even small donations from supporters abroad are very important for large terrorist organizations, emphasizes Hans-Jakob Schindler, an expert on terrorist financing. All terrorist organizations he knows of engage in crowdfunding, adds Schindler, who is a member of the non-profit organization Counter Extremism Project, which combats extremist groups by exerting pressure on financial support networks.

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler interviewed on terrorism financing and Hamas financing in Germany.