German Police Arrest Dozens As Berlin Cracks Down on Pro-Palestinian Protests (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – German police arrested numerous individuals in Berlin on Friday as they moved to dismantle a pro-Palestinian protest camp established outside the Chancellery building a fortnight ago.
The activists occupying the camp, comprised of 20 tents, have been advocating for an end to German arms exports to Israel amidst the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza. They have also voiced opposition to the criminalization of the Palestinian solidarity movement.
Authorities in Germany have leveled accusations against the demonstrators, citing criminal offenses such as incitement to hatred and the use of unconstitutional symbols and prohibited slogans. Additionally, protesters are alleged to have violated regulations safeguarding green spaces.
Anja Dierschke, a spokesperson for the police, stated to DW news outlet, "Protection of gatherings cannot be guaranteed at this point because public safety and order are significantly at risk."
During the clearance operation on Friday, clashes ensued between police and scores of activists. Video footage captured officers violently apprehending individuals who were chanting "Viva, viva Palestina."
Approximately 150 officers were deployed to the Chancellery to dismantle the tents, resulting in the arrest of 75 protesters and supporters purportedly infringing upon Freedom of Assembly Acts.
However, the demonstrators maintain that German authorities lacked justification to disband the camp. "We’ve been peaceful but we’ve been harassed by the police every single day who have given us the most stupid restriction," remarked an activist named Nassar to DW.
"They’ve forbidden us from using languages which aren’t German or English, they have criminalized our prayers, our songs, our workshops, and now their official reasoning is that we had a sofa which was damaging the grass ... In Germany, damaging the lawn is worse than committing genocide," Nassar highlighted.
Another protester expressed disdain, stating, "Welcome to Germany, where killing 35,000 people is worse than harming a little bit of grass," alluding to the reported death toll in Gaza amid Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
