Berlin's Yasemin A. secures acquittal for the slogan "From the river to the sea"
Activist Yasemin A. Acquitted in Berlin Trial Over Controversial Palestine Slogan
Yasemin A., a well-known activist in Germany, has been acquitted by the Amtsgericht Tiergarten court in Berlin following her trial for using the controversial slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." The slogan, which has been a subject of intense debate due to its perceived implications, was used by Yasemin during Gaza solidarity protests.
The trial, which took place in July 2025, highlighted tensions in Germany over freedom of speech, activism, and the perception of the slogan in public discourse. Yasemin was charged with resisting enforcement officers, defaming police officers, and assaulting a police officer, among other allegations.
However, in her verdict, the judge found Yasemin's political engagement to be "respectful." The judge also acknowledged Yasemin's strong sense of justice, which was shaped by her experiences of racism as a child with her Kurdish parents at the immigration office.
Yasemin's advocacy for Palestinians has not been without controversy. She has received numerous death threats and hate messages, and a person with the same name as Yasemin, together with her employer, temporarily removed their online presence due to threats. In June 2023, Yasemin sailed on the "Madleen" ship to bring aid supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip, an act that brought her international attention.
Yasemin has also been vocal about arms deliveries to the Israeli government, accusing them of using hunger as a weapon. She has questioned the integrity of the country's commitment to "Never again" and the press's role as a pillar of democracy.
In her statement at the beginning of her trial, Yasemin explained her personal and political motivations for her commitment to the Palestine solidarity movement. She emphasized her dedication to the fight against racism, colonialism, and for a "free Palestine."
The slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is a highly contentious phrase linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It refers to the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea — the territory encompassing Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Proponents use it to express the aspiration for Palestinian sovereignty across the entire territory. However, critics interpret it as a call eliminating the State of Israel, which they consider a denial of Israel’s right to exist, leading to significant controversy and debates about its meaning and implications.
Following her acquittal, Yasemin declared that "standing with Palestine is not a crime" and vowed to continue her activism. This case demonstrates how the slogan remains a flashpoint, intertwining issues of human rights activism, legal boundaries, and geopolitical conflict narratives.
In addition to her activism for Palestine, Yasemin has also been actively involved in supporting refugees. In 2022, she founded an organization to support Ukrainian refugees. The ongoing trial and subsequent acquittal in Berlin show how the debate over the slogan plays out in Europe’s legal and public spheres, underscoring the broader, highly divisive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
[1] Berlin court acquits Palestinian activist Yasemin A. [2] Yasemin A. acquitted in Berlin trial over controversial Palestine slogan [3] Yasemin A. trial: A test of free speech in Germany [4] Yasemin A. vows to continue activism after acquittal in Berlin trial
[1] This acquittal in Berlin marks a significant political moment, as activist Yasemin A., known for her advocacy for Palestinians, has been acquitted in a trial over the controversial slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."
[2] Amidst war-and-conflicts, political debates, and general-news headlines, the ruling by the Amtsgericht Tiergarten court in Berlin highlights the complexities of freedom of speech and activism in Europe's public spheres.
