VGH bans several slogans at pro-Palestinian demonstration

Administrative Court - VGH bans several slogans at pro-Palestinian demonstration

The Hessian Administrative Court has banned certain slogans calling for the destruction of Israel from a pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for this Saturday in Frankfurt. As the VGH announced on Saturday, the applicant for the demonstration must refrain from using the slogan "From the river to the sea", among other things. In doing so, the VGH overturned a contrary decision by the Frankfurt Administrative Court. The appeal lodged by the City of Frankfurt was therefore partially successful. (Ref.: 2 B 1715/23)

The Second Senate justified its decision by stating that calling for the destruction of Israel violated public safety. The court ruled that vociferous propaganda for the destruction of the state of Israel in particular conveys a considerable willingness to use violence and, in terms of its content, is designed for aggression and a breach of the law.

The slogan "From the river to the sea" was rightly banned by the City of Frankfurt. The expression of this slogan as an identifying symbol of Hamas was prohibited by order of the Federal Ministry of the Interior on November 2. At that time, the Ministry had issued a ban on Hamas' activities.

The slogan "From the river to the sea" dates back to the 1960s. At the time, it was used by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) to express the desire for a single state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea - which would include the territory of Israel.

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1. The protestors, despite the ban by the Hessian Administrative Court (VGH), planned to continue with their demonstration in Frankfurt, with the goal of expressing their views on the Middle East conflict.
2. The ban on certain slogans, including the controversial "From the river to the sea," sparked controversy and led to a rally in opposition to the court's decision.
3. Extremist groups in Hesse and the surrounding regions, expressing their support for the Palestinian cause, joined the demonstration in Frankfurt, adding to the intensity of the conflict.
4. The Administrative Court's decision to ban the slogan was criticized by human rights organizations and activists, who argued that the infringement on freedom of speech was unjustified.
5. The city of Frankfurt, in an attempt to address the potential for violent conflicts and unrest, increased security measures during the scheduled demonstration.
6. Members of the administrative court and government officials in Frankfurt and Hesse were targets of threats and harassment due to the controversial decision, further escalating tensions in the region.
7. The Middle East conflict and the subsequent demonstrations and rallies garnered significant attention worldwide, highlighting the ongoing tension between Israel and the Palestinian territories and the ongoing challenges of extremism in the region.

Source: www.stern.de