German police arrested a 41-year-old pro-Palestinian woman for her social media posts and confiscated her smartphones and computers during a search of her apartment.
Berlin police stated that she was arrested on Wednesday morning for allegedly “using the symbols of unconstitutional organisations,” prompting criticism from some who see it as a clampdown on free speech.
According to the statement, “She is accused of having published criminal content relating to Hamas and the current Middle East conflict, such as the slogan ‘From the river to the sea,’ on social networks in four cases since October 2023.” ”During the search, three cell phones, two computers and a hard drive were found and confiscated. The woman was temporarily arrested for identification purposes and was subsequently released,” the police stated.
The banning of the chant “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” in several German states, such as Bavaria and Berlin, highlights the ongoing debate over the line between free speech and anti-Semitism.
While some argue that the chant represents a call for equal rights and justice for Palestinians, others view it as inherently anti-Semitic due to its association with the elimination of Israel.
Germany’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian events reflects its staunch support for Israel and its efforts to prevent any rhetoric perceived as threatening to its security or existence.
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