What it is about
A Berlin court on Tuesday fined a woman 600 euros ($655) for chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” during a banned protest gathering in Berlin’s Neukoelln district on October 11.
Why it matters
The court determined that the phrase used by the 22-year-old Ava M., so soon after Hamas’s brutal October 7 massacre, was intended to deny Israel’s right to exist and praised the attack. “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” has long been utilized by Palestinian nationalist movements, including Hamas, which seeks the destruction of the state of Israel. The phrase was outlawed in Germany in November 2023 to prevent any endorsement of terrorist activities and to curtail antisemitism.
Context
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser banned the phrase as part of a crackdown on Hamas activity. Nonetheless, the ban’s legal stance has seen mixed rulings throughout Germany, with some courts allowing its usage. Adding weight to its condemnation, the phrase has been denounced in congressional votes and scrutinized by the United States Department of Education.
What they’re saying
Lawyer’s perspective:Ava M.’s attorney, Alexander Gorski, labeled the court’s decision “a dark day for freedom of expression,” claiming his client intended to advocate for democratic coexistence in the region. He indicated plans to appeal.
Recent Developments
Germany has stepped up measures against public and written expressions deemed antisemitic or anti-Israeli, particularly amid the protests following Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel. A June report indicated an 80% increase in antisemitic incidents in Germany year-over-year, with a significant surge after the ongoing conflict erupted. Berlin police are also investigating other anti-Israel and antisemitic chants at rallies, ensuring enforcement of Germany’s strict hate speech laws.
The bigger picture
The Hamas-led invasion on October 7 sparked widespread violence and terror, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. German authorities are sternly responding to anti-Israel sentiment to prevent the endorsement of such terrorist violence and protect the Jewish community.
Illustrative Image
Police officers escorted a pro-Palestinian demonstrator into a police van during an anti-Israel demonstration at Richardplatz, Neukoelln, Berlin on October 11, 2023. (John MacDougal/AFP)
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.