Greta Thunberg detained by Berlin police at pro-Palestinian protest

• Greta Thunberg was detained by Berlin police on Monday after joining a sit-in to block access to the offices of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was among dozens of demonstrators detained by German police after blocking access to the Berlin offices and facilities of defense contractor Rheinmetall.

The blockades, organized by the activist coalition Peacefully Against Genocide, took place across multiple days in mid-July 2026. Protesters are demanding that Germany’s largest arms manufacturer immediately halt all weapons exports and ammunition components bound for 'Israel'.

Blockades and Police Interventions

The demonstrations escalated on Monday, July 13, when approximately 40 activists staged a sit-in and glued themselves to the pavement outside Rheinmetall’s office at Pariser Platz in central Berlin.

Police forces quickly moved in to break up the blockade, physically detaining 39 demonstrators, including Thunberg.

The tension continued into Tuesday, July 14, as activists attempted another blockade outside Rheinmetall's manufacturing plant in the Wedding district. At least 90 police officers were deployed to the site. According to Berlin police, officers carried and dragged protesters away from the factory’s access roads. Several individuals were temporarily detained for identity verification before being released.

“As long as profit is made from genocide, we will continue peaceful resistance, quite simply because we as civil society have a responsibility to stand against injustice,” said Elsa Schoenwiese, a spokesperson on the front lines.

The Dispute Over Rheinmetall's Ammunition

Activists have increasingly targeted Rheinmetall’s Berlin facility, which was historically used to manufacture civilian automotive parts. Since 2025, the facility has been heavily repurposed to produce steel casings and components for large-caliber 155mm artillery shells.

Protesters allege that these components are directly supplied to the 'Israeli' military and used in ongoing operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon.

Thunberg, who has increasingly aligned her climate activism with global human rights and pro-Palestinian causes, criticized the defense contractor’s plans to expand ammunition manufacturing in the capital.

"During a genocide, states and institutions have a legal duty to end the complicity, which means ending arms transfers," Thunberg said in a statement shared during the blockade.

Political Backlash and Controversy

Thunberg’s involvement in the Berlin protests has drawn sharp criticism from political figures and watchdog groups.

During the blockades, the 23-year-old Swedish activist was photographed wearing a Kufiya and a T-shirt featuring the slogan "Yalla Intifada". The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) strongly condemned the choice of clothing, saying that the slogan references historical campaigns of violence and terror attacks against 'Israeli' civilians.