Protest in front of pro-Palestine demonstration not characterized by Islamists
Prior to the controversial Palestine demonstration with demands for a caliphate in Essen last Friday, the demo events in North Rhine-Westphalia were not characterized by Islamist actors, according to the Ministry of the Interior. "Instead, mobilization and participation in gatherings from the field of foreign-related extremism and left-wing extremism predominated in relation to the phenomenon areas observed by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution," a ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. However, there is a targeted application in the Islamist spectrum.
For example, protests surrounding the war in Gaza are being used by the Islamist scene to mobilize, it said. The actors are also interested in positioning themselves within the scene. The high level of emotionalization offers potential for connection. "In addition to the civilian victims, the alleged dictatorship of opinion in Germany, which would prevent the Palestinians from expressing themselves, is currently also being addressed," the ministry spokesperson continued. According to the spokesperson, many Islamist organizations are keeping a low profile in order to avoid coming under the scrutiny of the security authorities.
According to the police, Islamists at last Friday's demonstration with a good 3,000 participants had apparently deliberately circumvented the authorities' requirements by using slightly modified flags and symbols, which were then no longer subject to prohibition orders. "Such explicit demands for a caliphate made on the open streets have not been seen in recent years," wrote NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) in a letter to Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), which is available to the German Press Agency. According to the letter, there were calls for "A Khalifa for Palestine" at the demonstration. One speaker is being investigated for incitement to hatred. The demonstration was peaceful.
Despite the peaceful demonstration last Friday, which saw around 3000 participants, Islamist actors attempted to circumvent authorities' requirements by using subtly modified flags and symbols, enabling them to make explicit demands for a caliphate that haven't been observed in recent years. This extremist stance at such demonstrations has become a platform for Islamist groups to mobilize supporters and position themselves in the scene, leveraging the high level of emotionalization surrounding the situation.
Source: www.dpa.com
