Image Source: Middle East Monitor
Berlin – On Wednesday, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg accused the German police of threatening, repressing, and silencing pro-Palestinian activists and demonstrations.
In a video shared on X, Thunberg explained that she had been invited to a Palestinian student encampment in Dortmund on Tuesday to join a panel discussion. However, soon after the announcement that she would be attending, police forced the camp to be dismantled and ordered all Palestinian activists and supporters to leave.
Thunberg also revealed that police authorities warned her she would face arrest if she attended the camp in Dortmund, following her participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin the day before.
“Germany is threatening and silencing activists who speak out against the genocide and occupation. The German police claim that it is anti-Semitism to say that Israel should stop bombing children and to say that Palestinians also deserve safety, freedom and justice.”
SMread| Eskom: Time to Flip the Switch on Costs
Palestinian Suppression in German Society
This incident reflects a growing pattern in Germany, where authorities are increasingly cracking down on pro-Palestinian activists, demonstrations, and organisations, including the BDS Movement. Berlin-based Palestinian activist Ramsis Kilani condemned the German government for its systematic attempts to silence Palestinian activism.
He highlighted the financial restrictions placed on pro-Palestinian organisations and the banning of protests as clear examples of this repression, even though many of these demonstrations are legal and conducted lawfully.
“The war against BDS in Germany goes a long way. It’s been years that they’ve tried to forbid it and make things harder for BDS activists. For example, stopping financing any organisations or cultural institutions that had anything to do with BDS, even though it was legal under German law. But they still tried to push it through. If you hear the arguments, like connections to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, it’s utter nonsense.”
One of the most controversial actions by German authorities has been the ban on Palestinian symbols, including the keffiyeh. This decision has ignited anger among Palestinian civilians in Germany and activists, who see it as an effort to silence expressions of solidarity.
Kilani explains that banning the keffiyeh, especially in schools, has deeply affected Palestinians in Germany. He likened the ban to an “occupation-like” atmosphere, where Palestinian identity is being stifled, particularly in cities like Berlin, which has a significant Palestinian community.
“There is a huge diaspora of Palestinians in Germany, and they are being excluded and attacked, assaulted. There have also been graffiti attacks by a radicalised minority on the right in Germany, with messages like “gas all Palestinians” and “kill all Palestinians” at schools and so on. It’s horrendous what is happening here, and the anti-Palestinian sentiments in Germany are being pushed from above, from the state level, and the media.”
Despite the government’s anti-Palestinian stance, echoed by civil authorities and much of the media, public sentiment reveals a different perspective. According to Kilani, civil polls show that most of German society opposes such policies.
Many believe Israel’s actions in Gaza are indefensible and call for an end to the genocide. Additionally, they think the German government should halt arms sales to Israel and, instead, push for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.
Even in the face of government repression of Palestinian activism, Kilani emphasised that they will not give up. They remain committed to advocating for the Palestinian cause and expanding the movement in Germany.
“The most important thing is that we don’t back down to it, we don’t give up, and we won’t stop our activism. They can’t forbid our fundamental democratic rights of freedom of speech and the right to assembly.”
“We always made that very clear. When they had the ban here, we were mobilising to the streets. We didn’t care when they were banning the keffiyeh, we were wearing the keffiyeh. We won’t accept what they are telling us and how they are trying to strike us.”
