Director Abdallah Alkhatib accepts the GWFF Best Feature Film Debut Award for “Chronicles From the Siege”, during the awards ceremony at the 76th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Feb. 21, 2026
Gaza ‘genocide’ comment prompts German minister to leave Berlinale
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German minister walks out of Berlinale closing ceremony after Gaza ‘genocide’ comment.
Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider withdrew from the closing ceremony of the Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday, his ministry confirmed Sunday, after a filmmaker accused the German government of supporting the genocide committed by 'Israel' in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian director Abdullah Al-Khatib received an award for his film “Chronicles of the Time of Siege” during the ceremony. Al-Khatib, who was born in Damascus, took to the stage wearing a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh draped over his shoulder.
In his acceptance speech, he referenced the 'Israeli' genocide, saying: “We will remember everyone who stood with us, and we will remember everyone who stood against us.”
Al-Khatib added, “Some people told me that perhaps I should be careful before saying what I am about to say, because I am a refugee in Germany and there are many red lines. But I don’t care. I care about my people and about Palestine.”
Addressing the German government directly, he continued: “You are partners in the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza. I believe you are intelligent enough to recognize this truth, but you choose not to care.”
He concluded his speech by saying, “Free Palestine… until the end of the world.”
Germany’s Environment Ministry said Schneider left the awards ceremony “during the speech” because of what it described as “unacceptable statements.”
The ministry noted that Schneider was “the only representative of the federal government” present at the event, although his participation was not considered an official engagement.
'Israel’s' ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, was quoted by the German newspaper Bild as saying that the festival’s reputation would suffer “if it becomes a platform for Israel’s enemies.”
The 76th edition of the prestigious festival was marked by sharp controversy over the 'Israeli' genocide in Gaza, which has devastated the territory and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis affecting more than two million residents.
The debate also drew in the festival jury president, German filmmaker Wim Wenders, who responded to a question about Gaza by saying, “We must stay away from politics.” At the same press conference, he added that films have the power to “change the world,” but in a different way than politics.
More than 80 directors and actors, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, signed a joint statement condemning what they described as the festival’s “silence” on Gaza. They expressed “outrage” over what they called its involvement in “censoring artists who oppose the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”
Festival director Tricia Tuttle rejected the accusations, stressing that the event supports “freedom of expression within the limits of German law.” She added that she understood the statement stemmed from “deep anger and frustration over the suffering of the people of Gaza.”
