Activist replaces German flag with Palestinian flag outside German parliament

• A 22-year-old activist replaced Germany's flag with a Palestinian flag outside the Bundestag in Berlin on Nov. 8.
• The activist remained atop the approximately 30-meter flagpole for around an hour before climbing down.
• More than 100 people gathered to watch, with some applauding.
• The group Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility, describing the action as nonviolent civil disobedience.

A pro-Palestinian activist climbed a nearly 30-meter flagpole outside Germany’s parliament in Berlin on Sunday, replacing the German national flag with a Palestinian one in a protest against Germany’s support for ‘Israel’ and its arms supplies amid the assault on Gaza.

The 22-year-old climbed the flagpole outside the Reichstag building at around 11:30 a.m. local time, removed the German flag and raised the Palestinian flag in its place, according to German newspaper taz.

The incident was captured on video by Berlin-based filmmaker Abdallah, who was not the activist involved in the climb.

Equipped with professional climbing gear, the activist remained at the top of the pole for approximately an hour before climbing down on his own. More than 100 people gathered nearby to watch the incident, with some applauding as he descended.

Police and firefighters arrived at the scene, and firefighters subsequently used an aerial ladder to remove the Palestinian flag. The activist was taken into police custody after reaching the ground.

Two other men, aged 20 and 32, were also detained on suspicion of assisting the climber. According to police, the two stood at the base of the flagpole and helped him during the operation. The men also filmed the incident, which was streamed live on TikTok, Tagesspiegel reported.

Activist group claims responsibility

The Germany-wide initiative Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility for the protest, saying it was intended to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians and draw attention to what it describes as Germany's complicity in the genocide in Gaza.

Daniel Goepel, a member of the initiative who was present at the scene, accused Germany of being complicit in genocide and said German weapons were being used to kill people. He also called for the German chancellor to face trial.

The group said the action was part of its campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience against Germany's policies toward ‘Israel’ and its continued arms supplies.

The initiative said it had staged a similar protest nearly a year earlier, when activists raised a Palestinian flag and a protest banner at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

In a statement released after Sunday's action, the climber said people had a responsibility to oppose crimes against humanity and called on civil society to take a stand.

The group also announced further protests targeting German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall's factory in Berlin's Wedding district, scheduled for Nov. 15–22.

Police launch investigation

Berlin police launched an investigation into the three men on suspicion of insulting the state and its symbols, damaging public property, violating the city's assembly law and trespassing.

The police have not announced any convictions, and the allegations remain under investigation.

 

 

 

 

 

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