Amplified Clashes: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Chant Prohibited Slogans near Israeli Embassy in Berlin
Slogans discouraged at Palestinian protest against Israel - Palastinensische Demonstrationen mit untersagten Schreien gegen Israel
In a heated turn of events, pro-Palestinian activists have been vocal about their discontent near the Israeli Embassy in Berlin-Wilmersdorf. This time, they went beyond the boundaries by shouting slogans that are strictly prohibited. A 31-year-old man was nabbed for brandishing symbols of unconstitutional and extremist organizations, according to the police.
Flaunting a crowd of around 220 demonstrators, the protest on Auguste-Viktoria-Straße was backed by 130 police officers. The protesters, trying to stir up heated debates, allegedly chanted forbidden slogans, which the rally's organizers were specifically instructed to avoid by the police.
The Players
The rally was spearheaded by figures from Generation Islam, linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir, a Germany-ban organization accused of promoting terrorism and antisemitism. Ahmad Tamim, a speaker from Generation Islam, fervently advocated for the liberation of Palestine during the protest.
The Backdrop
These escalating protests can be linked to Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel, which leading to a significant rise in antisemitic incidents across Germany. Berlin saw an unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents in 2024, primarily in the first half of the year.
Despite these incidents, funds allocated to combat antisemitism in Berlin remained largely untouched due to organizational issues, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of the spent funds.
Likewise, similar pro-Palestinian protests have been staged worldwide, demanding an end to the perceived genocide in Gaza and urging international intervention for the protection of Palestinian civilians.
Legal Consequences
A 31-year-old man was arrested during the Berlin rally for using restricted slogans and remained under investigation for displaying symbols of unconstitutional and extremist organizations. However, no charges were made under §130 StGB, the incitement to hatred law, which has faced criticism for insufficient law enforcement.
Berlin authorities also issued deportation orders for several foreign nationals involved in the protests, citing them as a threat to public order. This move, however, has been criticized for politicizing the issue and encroaching on democratic rights.
Berlin's Commissioner for Antisemitism, Samuel Salzborn, took notice of these developments, passing the matter to prosecutors and highlighting the organized nature of these gatherings. The Central Council of Jews in Germany has also pleaded for stronger actions against such hateful demonstrations.
- The protesters, who were backed by 130 police officers on Auguste-Viktoria-Straße, allegedly chanted forbidden slogans during the rally near the Israeli Embassy, which goes against the community policy and employment policy of maintain public order and safety.
- The rally in Berlin-Wilmersdorf, spearheaded by figures from Generation Islam, linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir, a Germany-ban organization, saw a 31-year-old man being nabbed for brandishing symbols of unconstitutional and extremist organizations, an action that violates the employment policy of not supporting extremist activities.
- Despite Berlin seeing an unprecedented rise in antisemitic incidents, funds allocated to combat antisemitism have remained largely untouched due to organizational issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the spent funds in enforcing the community policy of ensuring the safety of all citizens, including those of Jewish faith.
