Red triangle: Berlin cancels Palestinian festival over “Hamas symbols”

• Berlin authorities canceled the "Palestine in Berlin" festival (Jan 24–25, 2026) after the ‘Israeli’ Embassy flagged the use of inverted red triangles on promotional flyers. While traditionally part of the Palestinian flag, German officials  classify the symbol as a Hamas marker
• Following the discovery, the district revoked the event's permit and placed the €85,000 annual funding for the host association, Salam e.V., under formal review. Despite an apology from the group blaming an "external organizer," officials cited a zero-tolerance policy.

Berlin authorities canceled the "Palestine in Berlin" cultural festival this week after discovering alleged Hamas-related symbols on its promotional materials.

The event, which was scheduled for January 24 and 25 in the Reinickendorf district, lost its permit and public funding following an intervention by the ‘Israeli’ Embassy, said news reports.

The cancellation was reportedly triggered by the use of inverted red triangles on event flyers.

While the red triangle is a traditional part of the Palestinian flag, German security officials now classify it as a symbol of Hamas, which they consider a “terrorist organization”.

In their combat videos from Gaza, Hamas uses the triangle to mark ‘Israeli’ vehicles and soldiers before attacks.

Berlin and federal authorities banned the public use of this symbol in late 2024, claiming it is used by supporters to threaten opponents and mark Jewish institutions.

The ‘Israeli’ Embassy in Berlin flagged the flyers on social media, stating that using public money for an event featuring these symbols was "incompatible with integration".

Ambassador Ron Prosor claimed a "zero tolerance" policy toward the normalization of Hamas ideology, noting that the festival was planned just days before International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Following these complaints, district officials reviewed the materials and determined they violated regulations against using symbols of prohibited organizations.

Funding and Organizational Response The festival was hosted at the BBK Linde intercultural center, managed by the association Salam e.V.

The association receives approximately €85,000 in annual funding from the Berlin Senate and the Reinickendorf Integration Fund.

In a public statement, Salam e.V. apologized and claimed that an "external organizer" had created the flyers without their final review.

The group stated they have "zero tolerance" for such imagery and officially distanced themselves from the goals and methods of Hamas.

Despite the apology, district officials prohibited the event and indicated that the association’s future state funding is now under review.

This incident is part of a broader crackdown by the Berlin government on speech and symbols linked to Palestine.

In recent years, city authorities have defunded other cultural centers and banned various demonstrations.