Berlin Sees 80 Arrests During Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations

In Berlin, police made 80 preliminary arrests during several pro-Palestinian demonstrations that took place on Thursday. The individuals are facing criminal proceedings for various offenses, including severe breaches of public order, resistance, and assaults against law enforcement officials, as well as property damage. Investigations are also underway concerning the use of symbols associated with unconstitutional and terrorist organizations and violations of explosives regulations.

According to police reports, ten officers sustained injuries during confrontations with demonstrators but were able to continue their duties. In total, authorities filed 61 criminal complaints and 7 reports for administrative violations. Approximately 300 police officers were deployed to manage the demonstrations.

Violence erupted in the afternoon and evening at multiple gatherings, notably at Alexanderplatz, where up to 800 participants were present. Law enforcement ultimately dispersed the assembly after some demonstrators occupied tram tracks, halting tram services. Reports indicate that protesters shouted prohibited slogans, ignited pyrotechnics, and hurled bottles and stones at police.

Similar violent incidents occurred in the Wedding district, where groups ignited fireworks, shouted banned slogans, and attacked police forces. Items such as warning barriers were thrown onto the road from a group of around 150 individuals. Following this, a gathering at Leopoldplatz took place, which remained peaceful.

Earlier on Thursday, suspected pro-Palestinian activists vandalized the entrance of the Foreign Office, spilling paint and defacing the building's facade with a slogan. Four individuals were apprehended but, despite being given orders to leave, participated in another protest outside the Foreign Office, leading to further arrests.

Berlin police emphasized their commitment to protecting the right to assemble while asserting that violent groups misusing protests to commit crimes and attack law enforcement undermine the rights of peaceful demonstrators.

Amidst these events, Israeli special forces intercepted a flotilla of pro-Palestinian boats in the Mediterranean, detaining over 400 crew members from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to reach the Gaza Strip.

The recent escalation of conflict in Gaza was triggered by a deadly attack carried out by Hamas and other groups on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 individuals taken hostage. Since the outbreak of hostilities, more than 66,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to health authorities controlled by Hamas.