Middle East conflict - Fine for pro-Palestinian speech at demonstration
The controversial slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" has led to a conviction in Berlin. The Berlin-Tiergarten local court imposed a fine of 40 daily rates of 15 euros (600 euros) on a 22-year-old for approving criminal offenses, who had chanted the slogan at a pro-Palestinian demonstration a few days after the Islamic Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The judge explained that the slogan must be seen in context. Only four days earlier, there had been an attack on Israeli territory. In this context, the slogan could only be understood as denying Israel's right to exist and supporting the attack. "It should have approved the massacre," the judge continued. In this context, the slogan was "incitement". The approval was capable of disturbing public peace.
Protests in the courtroom after the verdict
The 22-year-old had, according to investigations, chanted the controversial slogan at a previously banned rally in Berlin-Neukölln on October 11, 2023, among a group of about 60 people. Initially, a penalty order was issued against the defendant. Because she appealed against it, a trial took place. Shortly after the verdict was announced, court officials had to clear the room due to loud protests from spectators.
The defendant explained that it had been a legitimate action. She is a woman who engages against racism and anti-Semitism, and advocates for "an end to violence". Her lawyers pleaded for acquittal. The slogan is "ambiguous". In this case, there is no Hamas reference. The public prosecutor demanded a sentence of 60 daily rates. The verdict is not yet final.
Since the terrorist attack from Israel, there have been numerous demonstrations in Berlin in connection with the Gaza war. The public prosecutor's office and the Berlin police evaluate the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" differently than before the terrorist attack by the Islamic Hamas. With this sentence, it is meant that there should be a free Palestine on a territory from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea - where Israel is now located.
The 22-year-old was fined a substantial amount for chanting the slogan in Berlin, with each daily rate amounting to 15 euros, totalling 600 euros. Due to the context of the slogan, the judge deemed it as incitement capable of disturbing public peace, as it could be interpreted as denying Israel's right to exist and supporting criminal offenses.
