Berlin police have banned a Palestinian supporter demonstration announced for Wednesday. A planned rally in solidarity with Palestine at Berlin’s Pariser Platz, as well as all alternative events, would also be banned. In Vienna, the Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) is holding a commemorative event on Ballhausplatz on Wednesday evening – but Palestinian organizations have also announced demonstrations. The tensions are inevitable.
Four days after the Hamas attack on Israel, a “demonstration in solidarity with Palestine” was to take place in the Neukölln district. Police said carrying out the demonstrations would pose a threat to public safety and order.
“Crimes at similar gatherings”
“In its justification, our assembly authority refers to the current situation in the Middle East and crimes in similar assembly situations in the past, as well as to the events last weekend in Berlin,” the report continued.
The Palestinian Network distributed sweets
The pro-Palestinian network Samidoun celebrated the attack on Israel on Saturday by handing out sweets on Sonnenallee in Neukölln. Masaab Abu Atta, a member of Samidoun Germany, was arrested during the operation. Samidoun is considered an offshoot of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU.
Similar demonstrations were already banned by the police in the spring because inflammatory and anti-Semitic slogans, outbreaks of violence and glorification of violence were expected. Courts upheld the bans. There had previously been a Palestinian demonstration in Neukölln over Easter, with individual participants shouting anti-Semitic slogans, including, according to observers, “Death to the Jews, Death to Israel.”
Rally in Duisburg canceled
Pro-Palestinian activists marched in Duisburg on Monday evening. Incidents also took place here and press representatives were also attacked. Hamas’s terrorist attacks were literally celebrated with shouts of joy. Police eventually intervened and broke up the meeting with about 100 participants.
“There is no place for anti-Semism in Berlin”
Berlin’s ruling mayor, Kai Wegner, had spoken out on Tuesday in favor of an announcement of the ban by the police. As the CDU politician said: Public expressions of sympathy and joy for the terrorist attack, such as those that took place in Neukölln this weekend, should not be repeated. We will not tolerate celebrations of terror, murder and hostage taking, he said. “There is no place for anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel in Berlin.” Crimes are consistently punished and the police and judiciary are well positioned, Wegner explains.
Another case from Neukölln caused a stir. A 14-year-old allegedly waved a Palestinian flag at school, a teacher tried to take it away from him and was then attacked and kicked by the student and another youngster. The teacher (61) is said to have defended himself with a slap in the face. The students and the teacher were suspended and a report was filed against the teacher.
Palestinian demonstrations in Vienna “freedom of expression”
There have also been repeated demonstrations by pro-Palestinian activists in Vienna in recent days. According to the Vienna police, these were peaceful but were “observed and evaluated by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, especially those addressing the current attacks in Israel”: “The possibility of freedom of expression and therefore also the right of assembly is a valuable constitutional asset and can only be settled in detail by litigation and limited.”
The Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) invites you to a commemorative event on Wednesday evening at Ballhausplatz in Vienna. Under the motto ‘#standwithisrael’, they want to commemorate those killed during the Hamas terror and pray for the quick and full recovery of the injured and the safe return of those kidnapped, the IKG said in a broadcast on Tuesday.
“No justification for terrorism”
“There is no justification for terrorism. Hundreds of civilians were attacked in their homes. Many have been kidnapped and even more murdered in cold blood. Corpses have been and are being desecrated,” IKG President Oskar Deutsch emphasized. “The barbarity of these Islamists is limitless.” Anyone who placed the value of life above that of death is cordially invited to participate. “Let us send a powerful sign of life and hope to the world.”
At the same time, pro-Palestinian activists gather for a ‘vigil’ on Stephansplatz. A dangerous situation given the current situation in the Middle East. It is currently unclear whether any special safety measures or bans are planned.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
