Berlin police halt pro-Palestinian protest following clashes

Police in Berlin halted a pro-Palestinian demonstration involving approximately 700 participants after clashes and multiple violations of protest restrictions. The march, which began at Oranienplatz in the Kreuzberg district, coincided with the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among the protesters, who were described as being predominantly young. Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as ‘One genocide does not justify another’ and ‘Viva, viva Palestine’. The protest was intended to proceed toward Hermannplatz in Neukölln, but authorities intervened due to an increased threat to public safety.

Police reported that officers were pushed and kicked during the event. More than ten individuals were detained, with some arrests made for displaying symbols of Hamas, an organization classified as a terrorist group by Germany. A small counter-protest of about ten people holding Israeli flags also occurred at the start of the demonstration.