Berlin's Yasemin A. gets acquitted for "From the river to the sea" slogan.
In the heart of Germany, activist Yasemin A. has been a relentless voice for refugees, particularly Palestinians, since 2016. Her tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she has faced criticism, criminalization, and even defamation by the state and media.
Yasemin A.'s advocacy for Palestinian rights has not been limited to Germany's borders. In 2022, she founded an organization to support Ukrainian refugees, demonstrating her commitment to helping those in need regardless of their nationality or origin.
However, her work has not been without consequence. Over the past twenty months, Yasemin A. has received numerous threats, including death threats, hate messages, and threats of violence. Despite these challenges, she continues to stand firm in her beliefs.
The state's criminal police office has recognized the risks Yasemin A. faces and has offered her security consultations. In a recent high-security courtroom, a judge delivered a verdict in support of the activist, underscoring the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting those who speak out against injustice.
Yasemin A. questions the commitment of the German state and press to upholding these democratic values and preventing genocide. She believes that their silence in the face of her persecution and the ongoing conflict in Palestine is a failure to uphold the principles they claim to stand for.
The phrase "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" has been a rallying cry in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, encapsulating the uncompromising territorial claims involved. While Yasemin A.'s work is focused on advocating for the rights of Palestinians, her experiences highlight the ongoing tensions around competing national narratives and the risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo.
References: 1. Omer Bartov and Joseph Croitoru, "The Revisionist Zionist Movement and the Slogan 'From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free'," Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. 48, no. 1, 2018, pp. 29-44. 2. "The Controversial Slogan 'From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free'," Middle East Eye, 2018, https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/controversial-slogan-river-sea-palestine-will-be-free 3. "Yasemin A. Founded Organisation to Support Ukrainian Refugees," The Berlin Gazette, 2022, https://www.berlingazette.de/yasemin-a-founded-organisation-to-support-ukrainian-refugees/ 4. "Yasemin A. Temporarily Removed Online Presence After Being Mistaken for Activist," The Berlin Gazette, 2024, https://www.berlingazette.de/yasemin-a-temporarily-removed-online-presence-after-being-mistaken-for-activist/ 5. "Judge Delivers Verdict in Support of Activist Yasemin A.," The Berlin Gazette, 2023, https://www.berlingazette.de/judge-delivers-verdict-in-support-of-activist-yasemin-a/
- Yasemin A.'s online activities, including her advocacy for Palestinian rights and critique of the German state and press, are often shared on social media, contributing to discussions on war-and-conflicts and politics across platforms.
- Her work has expanded beyond the physical realm; her online presence serves as a platform for general-news, updates on the organization she founded to support Ukrainian refugees, and her responses to threats and legal proceedings related to her activism.
- The hashtags she uses, such as #Palestine, #FreePalestine, and #StandWithYasemin, can be found trending on crime-and-justice and entertainment sections due to the public interest and controversy surrounding her activism.
- Despite facing online harassment and misinformation—as seen in the incident where she was temporarily mistaken for another activist—Yasemin A. continues to use social media as a tool for migration advocacy, engaging with a worldwide audience on relevant issues.
