Anti-Israeli Rally Slogan Labeled as Criminal Offense in Thuringia
The popular pro-Palestinian slogan, "From the river to the sea," is now considered a criminal offense in the German state of Thuringia. The Munich Public Prosecutor General's Office shares this stance, as confirmed by the Thuringian Public Prosecutor General's Office in Jena. Individuals using this phrase at rallies in Thuringia may face criminal proceedings.
In Bavaria, the slogan's use is also prohibited, according to the Munich Public Prosecutor General's Office. This new assessment stems from the Federal Ministry of the Interior's ban on the terrorist organization Hamas and the Samidoun association, in response to Hamas' attacks on Israel. The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported this development first.
This slogan finds its roots in the 1960s and was previously used by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to express the goal of completely liberating Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea––essentially on Israeli territory.
The criminalization of the "From the river to the sea" slogan in Thuringia underscores Germany's stance against extremist views, potentially stirring up conflicts at future pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The ban on this slogan and linked organizations, like Hamas and Samidoun, is part of Germany's broader battle against terrorism and extremism.
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It's important to note that the inclusion of "from the river to the sea" in Germany's Hamas ban is a contentious issue. Despite not universally representing a call for Israel's destruction, the German government includes this phrase as part of a strategy to curb Palestinian solidarity movements and label them as terrorism.
German law (Section 86a of the German Criminal Code) deems using such symbols and slogans from unconstitutional and terrorist organizations as punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine. Several trials and investigations have taken place in Germany related to this slogan's use, although results are mixed.
The ban's implementation and prosecution have sparked significant public and political opposition, with many suggesting this action reflects attempts to dehumanize Palestinians and equate their resistance with Nazi ideology. The classification of the slogan as a criminal offense is a common theme in countries like Austria and Estonia, although the Dutch judiciary has ruled that it falls under free speech protections, subject to interpretation.
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The criminalization of the "From the river to the sea" slogan in thuringia reflects germany's stance on extremist views and their potential to cause conflicts in future pro-palestinian demonstrations. however, the inclusion of this phrase in the hamas ban is a controversial issue and has caused significant public and political backlash.
The german authorities argue that using the slogan can be considered a form of propaganda for a terrorist organization, as it is included in the hamas ban. this new legal assessment was justified by the federal ministry of the interior following hamas' attacks on israel, which led to the banning of both hamas and the samidoun association.
the slogan itself is not directly banned in all of germany, but its use can lead to the banning of organizations or events associated with it. for example, pro-palestinian demonstrations have been banned in austria and vienna due to its inclusion in their invitations.
the classification of this slogan as a criminal offense has been met with significant opposition, with many arguing that it is part of a broader attempt to dehumanize palestinians and equate their resistance with nazi ideology. however, the ban on organizations associated with this slogan, like hamas and samidoun, is part of germany's broader fight against terrorism and extremism.
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the use of the slogan "from the river to the sea" is now classified as a criminal offense in thuringia and is prohibited throughout bavaria, according to the munich public prosecutor general's office. the slogan dates back to the 1960s and was previously used by the palestine liberation organization (plo) to express the goal of completely liberating palestine from the jordan river to the mediterranean sea.
however, the classification of this slogan as a criminal offense is a contentious issue, with many arguing that it is part of a wider strategy to curb palestinian solidarity movements and label them as terrorism. this strategy has been met with significant public and political opposition, with some arguing that it is an attempt to dehumanize palestinians and equate their resistance with nazi ideology.
the ban on this slogan and organizations associated with it, such as hamas and samidoun, is a part of germany’s wider war on terrorism and extremism. the german authorities justify its use as prohibited propaganda for a terrorist organization, and its inclusion in the ban of hamas is a central point in this strategy.
the classification of this slogan as a criminal offense has had significant implications for palestinian solidarity movements, and has been the subject of intense debate. other countries, such as austria and estonia, have also considered or implemented similar measures, although the dutch judiciary has ruled that it is protected under free speech grounds, subject to various interpretations.
