Three Pro-Palestinian Rallies In Berlin Feature Chants For Israel's Elimination, Antisemitic Speeches; Organizing Body, 'Samidoun,' Is Banned

Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, protests erupted on German streets. Some contained explicit antisemitic rhetoric and calls to annihilate the Jewish state. The "Samidoun – Palestine Prisoner Solidarity Network," the foreign arm of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), led numerous rallies and vigils throughout Germany, riding a wave of increasing support for the Palestinian cause. Following the seemingly unrestricted Samidoun activities in Germany, Germany's interior minister, Nancy Faeser, imposed a nationwide ban on the organization and its activities at the beginning of November. Samidoun operates in Germany mostly under the umbrella of the outlawed "Hirak e.V." and "Hirak – Palestinian Youth Mobilization – Youth Movement Germany." Both have an extensive base of followers.

Just hours after learning of Hamas's October 7 attacks in Israel, members of Samidoun distributed sweets to people in Berlin's majority Arab district, Neukölln, which has a large Palestinian Arab population, to celebrate the killing of Jews. This was followed by weekly public gatherings which continue until today. Protected by the "Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution" (Verfassungsschutz), the battle cry, "From The River To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free," a mainstay of pro-Palestinian marches, and the wearing of the black-and-white keffiyeh, or scarf, which is now associated with Palestinian Arabs, are ubiquitous at these gatherings and marches.

Wearing the keffiyeh is prohibited if it covers a person's face. Berlin police stated they could restrict or prohibit an outdoor gathering if they believed public safety was in immediate danger, and this could involve banning keffiyehs. This has been done, occasionally. However, the ban on Samidoun has not stopped its protests.

The German Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, issued a press release, saying that:

"… organizing spontaneous celebrations in Germany in response to the horrible terrorist attacks of HAMAS against Israel show the antisemitic, inhuman world view of Samidoun in a particularly repugnant way. The ban on the activities of HAMAS and Samidoun and the dissolution of 'Samidoun Germany' end these activities in Germany. Antisemitism has no place in Germany – no matter where it originates from."

Additionally, the statement explained that Samidoun, specifically, "compromises and jeopardizes the peaceful coexistence of Germans and foreigners and of different groups of foreigners in Germany, and compromises and jeopardizes public order because it supports violence to reach political goals and causes such violence."

Antifa and anti-imperialist Germans, including student unions, women's and LGBTQ initiatives, Islamist fundamentalists, and both Turkish right- and left-wing radicals in Germany, are affiliated with Samidoun and its proxies.[1] In her statement, Faeser acknowledged that Samidoun's antisemitic views were egregious, as were the joyous gatherings on German streets in support of the atrocities Hamas committed. She reiterated that such behavior is impermissible in Germany and would be met "with the full force of the rule of law."[2]

In practice, this meant a limitation on street marches and online organizing activity, which serves as a key mobilizing tool.

Earlier last year, Faeser called for a ban on pro-Palestinian protests following a nationwide outcry responding to reports, supported by video footage, showing openly antisemitic rhetoric and calls for the annihilation of Israel, while glorifying imprisoned Palestinian terrorists. The call by the interior minister was a firm stance on the federal level. However, immediate steps to apply a ban on the state level ground were not in sight. Samidoun continues to mobilize for anti-Zionist demonstrations in Germany, including "Palestinian Prisoners' Day" on April 17, "Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day" on the last Friday of Ramadan, (April 14), and "Nakba Day" on May 15, remembering Palestinian Arabs who were displaced when Israel was created.

Samidoun's Response To Being Banned Nationwide In Germany

The ban of Samidoun elicited an immediate outcry by sympathizers and affiliates of the organization, calling for the ban to be revoked. On November 2, 2023, Samidoun published a statement responding to its operational ban on German soil, titled: "The German Government Outlaws and Dissolves the Samidoun International Network of Solidarity with Political Prisoners." The German officials responsible for the issue are accused of being complicit with the "ongoing genocide on Gaza" to "repress dissidents [... while] choosing to support these [Israeli] attacks by waging a campaign of terror and repression against those who dare to speak out against these ongoing crimes, who want to mobilize people to put an end to destruction, war, occupation and colonialism [...] racist assault on the Palestinian and Arab community. Samidoun in Germany is led by Palestinian refugee youth, and the German media has engaged in a blatantly racist smear campaign intended to incite the most racist and fascist forces in the country against the Palestinian community, which is the largest in Europe [...]"[3]

The statement is accompanied by a photograph depicting a group of protesters, of whom several hold a large banner with the inscription: "Against Repression – Solidarity With Samidoun Germany."

The webpage of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution claims that Samidoun's online presence in Germany is either blocked or no longer accessible in Germany. While it appears that the main social media accounts of "Samidoun Germany" are no longer accessible, its webpage is indeed viewable in Germany. However, it appears that Samidoun operates underground. under the umbrella of several left-wing organizations, thus acting on German soil, but camouflaged by other groups.  

On its webpage, Samidoun (1/3) a screening event (1/4) of the 2021 published film "Fedayin: Georges Abdallah's Fight" organized by the "Palästina-Bündnis Hamburg" at the "Internationales Zentrum B5" venue in Hamburg.[4] B5 is a community center and among the most significant meeting points for left-wing extremists, some of whom are said to advocate the use of violence in the form of an armed struggle, according to the Hamburg Department of Interior and Sport.[5] The community center also hosts Palestinian solidarity initiatives.

Samidoun's promotional poster of the screening of the film, "Fedayin: Georges Ibrahim Abdallah's Fight," organized by an affiliate, "Palästina-Bündnis Hamburg."

Samidoun promoted an event to be held on January 15, 2024, called, "No Space For Genocide -Ambassador At Bonn University." The event was convened to protest the university's invitation to Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Poser. The protest was organized by a pro-Palestinian group,  "Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost [A Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Near East]."[6]

"Jüdische Stimme für gerechten Frieden in Nahost" promoted its protest on its X (formerly Twitter) account to demonstrate at the University of Bonn under the slogan: "No Space for Genocide-Ambassador at Bonn University."

Samidoun announced a protest on January 15 organized by the "Global South United" initiative in Berlin under the banner: "Strike Is Resistance – Stop The Genocide In Gaza /Demo and Strike."[7] The action aimed to signal to the German state that there would be continuous activism on behalf of Gaza, even if faced with repercussions, including arrest, expulsion from the university, termination from work, or visa cancelations. These repercussions would be imposed if there were incitement of hatred toward Jewish people, or trivialization of the Holocaust.

A poster from "Global South United" promoting its rally in Berlin held under the slogan: "Strike Is Resistance – Stop The Genocide In Gaza /Demo and Strike."[8]

More Than 2,000 Participants Gathered For Pro-Palestine Protests, Despite Restrictions, On New Year's Eve

Visible and prompt action by police enforcing the ban on incitement have yet to be implemented, as evidenced by the pro-Palestinian protests held on New Year's Eve, called Sylvester, in Berlin. Last year, before the Israel-Hamas war, there were riots during New Year's festivities, when rioters attacked police officers, firefighters and medical personnel with fireworks.[9]

Despite the deployment of over 3,000 police officers and over a thousand firefighters to prevent riots in Berlin, protests were scheduled for the afternoon and evening of December 31, 2023, in the districts of Neukölln and Kreuzberg, the locations of the previous New Year's riots. The afternoon protest, organized by Palestinians and Allies, Jüdische Stimme, Revolution Germany, Arbeiterinnenmacht, Revolutionäre Linke, and Das Vereinigte Palästinensische Nationale Komitee. The protest began with 180 demonstrators and finished with around 2,000 attendees. The participants were under orders to disperse before midnight.

However, the protest march organized by "Global South United" proceeded as planned, despite the prohibition. The organizers of the protests held under the umbrella of "Kein Feiern Bei Genozid" (No Celebration During Genocide), and those entities affiliated including Palästina Spricht followed the global call for action on New Year's Eve by the "Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights" consisted of a display of solidarity with the Gazan people; participants wore wearing Palestinian kaffiyehs and other solidarity symbols, and hoisting the Palestinian flag.[10]

A Description Of Recent Pro-Palestinian Gatherings In Germany

The Badil Center is an organization, registered with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior, enjoys a special consultative status with the United Nations. Badil advocates for the rights of Palestinian refugees and internally displaced persons, focusing on strengthening their rights under international humanitarian and human rights law.[11]

Badil Center's "Call For Action" New Year's campaign poster.

The Berlin-based "Palestinians and Allies" promoted a New Year's Day solidarity protest in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg. The protest was organized with "Jüdische Stimme," "Revolution Germany," "Arbeiterinnenmacht," "Revolutionäre Linke," and "Das Vereinigte Palästinensische Nationale Komitee."[12]

The poster above, from "Global South United," promoted its solidarity march on New Year's Eve, from Richardplatz in the Neukölln district to Hermannplatz.[13]

Pictures and videos from the pro-Palestinian protest marches were shared on social media such as TikTok and Instagram.

On TikTok, the user "mudiblick" shared impressions from the pro-Palestinian march through the Berlin districts of Kreuzberg and Neukölln. The accompanying caption reads: "[...] my resolution [...] it's a strong call for a free Palestine, the immediate stop of the genocide, an end to ethnic cleansing, and liberation from occupation. Today, there's no reason to celebrate; instead, let's stand together for justice, freedom and an end to oppression."[14]

A crowd of protesters hoisting numerous Palestine flags.

Several Muslim women, presumably Palestinian Arab, can be seen among the crowd of protesters. They are holding an oversized banner depicting a symbol of bombed Gaza. The women can be seen with the tawhid gesture, a raised index finger, professing the belief in the oneness of Allah.

Protesters on New Year's Eve with Palestinian flags and kaffiyehs.

Protesters kneeling on the street.

A boy can be seen wearing a keffiyeh embossed with the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

On TikTok, the user "Oya Tezcan" posted photos from the rally held through Neukölln. Participants chant, "Viva, viva Palestine."[15]

The group "Palestinians and Allies" shared photos on its Instagram page of the largest protest march in Berlin's city center. A large crowd of protesters can be seen with hoisted Palestinian flags, keffiyehs, chanting "Shame On You [Germany]", referring to Germany's support for Israel..[16]

Protesters demonstrate in the Neuköllln district with Palestinian flags; many participants wear keffiyehs, chanting, "Free, Free Palestine"; "Revolution – End The Occupation"; "Run Down The Occupation"; "Gaza Gaza Don't You Cry"; "Palestine Will Never Die"; "Shame On You [...]"[17]

A large march was held in the heart of Kreuzberg, around Kottbusser Tor, where demonstrators chanted, "To International Solidarity," accompanied by Palestinian flags; many wore keffiyehs.[18]