Middle East demonstrations challenge police: "At the limit"
Anti-Semitic slogans and glorification of terror: Crimes are repeatedly committed at demonstrations in connection with the fighting in the Middle East, including in Hesse. The situation poses a number of challenges for the police officers deployed, said Jens Mohrherr, state chairman of the police union, to the German Press Agency.
They are professionals enough to recognize unconstitutional symbols. At the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, however, they "always have to keep a close eye on what symbols or chants are being used - sometimes in foreign or native languages, of course - in order to be able to stop them immediately if necessary". The protests also tied up additional capacity. "Our colleagues in Hesse are at the limit," said Mohrherr.
The Hessian police are also aware of isolated pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian events this coming weekend. The police are neutral towards the opinions expressed by various groups and protect all basic constitutional rights, including the right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, emphasized the Ministry of the Interior in Wiesbaden when asked.
In mid-October, the Frankfurt Public Prosecutor General's Office had already made the public prosecutors in Hesse aware of a number of criminal offenses that could be committed at rallies following the Hamas terrorist attack, as the authority announced on request. The public use of the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free", which questions Israel's right to exist, could also give rise to the initial suspicion of a criminal offense. However, the circumstances of each individual case must be assessed.
The frequent use of anti-Semitic slogans and glorification of terror at Middle East demonstrations has led to several conflicts. These conflicts, along with the need to monitor unconstitutional symbols and chants, have pushed the Hessian police to their limit.
Source: www.dpa.com
