Violence Erupts in Berlin Amid Controversial Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations on International Women's Day

Berlin witnessed significant unrest during pro-Palestinian demonstrations held in Kreuzberg on International Women's Day. The protests, which were planned to host between 1,000 and 2,000 participants, escalated into violence after demonstrators began chanting prohibited slogans and clashed with police.

Initially, only about 200 participants attended the event titled 'Flight by Night' at Spreewaldplatz, despite the higher expected turnout. The organizers had explicitly stated that flags from certain countries, including Israel and Germany, were not welcome, while Palestinian flags were encouraged as symbols of a 'revolutionary practice.'

As the protest began at Oranienplatz with a largely peaceful atmosphere, tensions escalated later in the evening. Some demonstrators started to chant slogans such as 'From the river to the sea' and 'Zionists are fascists,' prompting police intervention. When officers attempted to make an arrest, they faced resistance from several protesters, leading to further confrontations.

As the situation deteriorated, police reported being targeted with thrown bottles and other projectiles, resulting in injuries to at least one officer. Additionally, it was reported that pyrotechnics were ignited during the altercations. Consequently, law enforcement decided to dissolve the gathering prematurely around 9 PM.

Following the events, the Berlin police issued a preliminary report, acknowledging that while the majority of gatherings throughout the day were peaceful, there were notable instances of criminal activity associated with the Kreuzberg demonstration. At that time, authorities confirmed 28 arrests and noted injuries to at least one police officer, promising a more detailed evaluation in the following days.