Germany clamps down on Palestinian Solidarity – UK will be next
JVL Introduction
It is becoming even harder to show solidarity with Palestinians in Germany, particularly in Berlin. Outlawing marches to commemorate the Nakba; banning the phrase “from the river to the sea” do not address antisemitism and adds to the risks of conflating criticism of the actions of the State of Israel (including its foundation) with the horrors of antisemitism.
The rally organisers adhered to the considerable restrictions placed on them but after things deteriorated the German media preferred to blame Palestinians and ignore that this 75th anniversary Nakba rally had been organised by Palestinians, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others.
Judische Stimme, with whom we work and who were involved in the event, issued this Statement, which we commend.
It is relevant, not only because we are internationalists but also because similar rules are being proposed here but we will obviously continue to be part of the movement to insist that Palestinians have the right to justice, to campaign for justice and to use the language, such as apartheid, that properly define what has happened.
LL
This article was originally published by Tribune on Sun 4 Jun 2023. Read the original here.
Germany is Criminalising Palestinian Solidarity
In its latest attack on Palestinian human rights, the German police have unleashed a chilling crackdown on Nakba commemorations – including banning the holding of watermelons and repressing Jewish anti-apartheid protesters.
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This is frightening and a clear indication of how the authoritarian right wing can control the narrative. At the first sign that clamp downs of this nature are taking place in the UK., we must rise up en masse and show that we will not accept it. We’ve seen from other events here that we already have some of the pre requisites for it to happen, namely a compliant police force, judiciary, and a government which is willing to ignore the law and change it when it suits it. On top of all that, we have a pathetically useless Labour opposition Party.
This is beyond shocking. The real question is what can be done about it.
Forgive me if I’m mistaken but isn’t Die Linke in the ruling coalitio in Berlin?
We should try to coordinate with Nakba 75 and Samidoun for an internationl presence at the next demonstration. In addition we should be thinking of pickets of the German Embassy.
This is what Zionism has managed to achieve. Germany police attacking Jewish and Palestinian demonstrators, all in the name of fighting ‘antisemitism’ of course.
As I have documented in my book the Gestapo and SS also singled out Zionist organisations for favourable treatment from 1935 onwards whereas non/anti-Zionist Jewish groups were suppressed.
I spoke at a meeting on my book in Stuttgart at the Left Centre and there was no attempt by the local police to interfere so it seems to be a particular problem in Berlin.
Consideration should also be given to legal action including an application to the European Court of Human Rights as it is a clear breach of Articles 9-11 of the ECHR
Riot Police armed with batons and other weapons beating Jews, Palestinians, Christians, Muslims and others who dare to speak out. It is horrifying to see this dark shadow cast, not just in Berlin, but across Germany. Is it a pervading feeling of guilt about the holocaust or the political class and ruling elites being acutely aware that over Europe and the world – the Far Right Regime in Jerusalem has ignited resistance to Zionist Apartheid? The more the German State attempts to beat dissenting voices into submission and silence, the louder those dissenting voices become.
By preventing people from remembering something they believe in and expressing their right to remember is wrong
it will end up not preventing people from expressing that right to do so
But will cause a lot of unrest which will make more and more people uneasy
And consequently will lead to more determination on both sides to exercise that right to do so
And could lead to innocent people from both sides of the argument being hurt both physically and mentally
Everyone has a right to remember an event were people died
And by preventing that right is a very misguided thing to do
And will distance any hopes of a peacefull agreement
If the UK is going to be next, I look forward to seeing how they ‘police’ Celtic FC football fans. Probably the most enthusiastic Palestinian supporters in the UK.
During Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final, at Hampden Park, Palestinian flags were on display. Something the BBC cameras did their best to censor off our screens – but not quite.
As a person who happens to be German, i feel ashamed and at the same time extremely worried about the racist, divisive and abysmal behaviour by not only the Police but also those who instructed them. Look then at the oppression of Roger Waters and others, which gives a harrowing idea of how far we have regressed yet again. The road to fascism is a slippy one…..lets get off it before it is too late.
It is frightening, to think of German Police once again persecuting Jews.
Most frightening still, is the use of distorted and untruthful narrative, in which the Police present themselves as protecting Jews from the Palestinian. When both Jews and Palestinian and everybody else present were defending the Palestinian Human Rights.
I agree with Tony Greenstein we should organise a picket of the German Embassy in London protesting the actions of Berlin’s Police and consider referring Germany to the European Court of Human Rights.