Palestinian and Israeli flags are forbidden at the fan mile event.
During the European Championship in Berlin, neither Palestinian nor Israeli flags will be displayed in the fan mile. The organizer stated that only flags from participating nations are allowed. Simultaneously, Federal Interior Minister Faeser declared that Germany is geared up for security measures.
At the fan zones near the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, Palestinian and Israeli flags are prohibited, as per the organizer's comments. Flags of countries participating in the European Football Championship will be the only ones allowed, stated a representative for Kulturprojekte GmbH. Earlier, the "Berliner Morgenpost" reported this news. According to Moritz van Dülmen, Managing Director of Kulturprojekte Berlin, the EM is not the location for other forms of demonstrations.
From the initial match of the European Championship on Friday, all 51 EM games will be screened on large monitors in the smaller fan zone in front of the Reichstag. On the primary stage in front of the Brandenburg Gate, 14 or 15 games will be transmitted: the three German group stage games, the three group stage games, and the Berlin round of 16, perhaps an additional round of 16 game with German participation, and the seven games from the quarter-finals to the final on July 14 in Berlin. The fan mile at the Brandenburg Gate will open with concerts on Wednesday.
In tandem, SPD Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul underlined their endeavors for security. "Safety is our prime concern, both for us state administrators and the federal government," Faeser said at the inauguration of the "International Police Cooperation Center" (IPCC) in Neuss. "We're well-prepared, and so I hope for tranquil, safe games."
Faeser emphasized, "We have a highly abstract high-risk level, but concretely nothing ominous is pending." Total safety can't be holistically guaranteed. This was also confirmed by CDU member Reul when he stated, "There's no 'absolutely safe' anywhere. Seconds can transform a secure situation into a chaotic one." He mentioned the recent fatal attack on a police officer in Mannheim. One shouldn't panic, however.
"We need to prepare ourselves for all probable incidents today. Ranging from terrorist attacks, aggressive and unruly fans, to demonstrations in support of Palestine or climate protection," Reul highlighted. The scenario is different from the 2006 World Cup. The response strategy is to procure as much information as possible, be technologically adept, and have an ample workforce of police officers and policewomen. "Humanly feasible has been achieved," remarked the North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister.
In the especially created IPCC, the police will collect significant information about the games during the EM around the clock. Approximately 300 police officers and policewomen from the federal government, the federal states, and the 24 participating nations will convene for 4 weeks, converging to share information nationwide. The objective is to maximize communication and collate data throughout Germany.
Read also:
Despite concerns over potential terrorist attacks and demonstrations, including those in support of Palestine, the European Football Championship 2024 in Berlin is set to be a summer fairy tale for football fans. Unfortunately, the wave of unity and support may not extend to the display of Palestinian and Israeli flags at the fan mile event and fan zones near the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag. Authorities have strictly prohibited these flags, citing security measures and focusing on the celebration of football.
