Berlin authorities intervene, forcibly disband Palestinian meeting
In a controversial move, Berlin police shut down a three-day pro-Palestinian conference over the weekend, citing concerns about a speaker's alleged antisemitic remarks. The conference, which was scheduled to take place in Berlin, was targeted due to the participation of Salman Abu Sitta, a Palestinian researcher and founder of the Palestine Land Society, known for his work on the Nakba and Palestinian rights.
According to reports, Salman Abu Sitta has expressed support for Hamas militants and made antisemitic comments in the past. These concerns led to a ban on his political activities in Germany, as confirmed by Berlin police on social media.
On Saturday, when Salman Abu Sitta was scheduled to speak via video call, the Berlin police temporarily shut down the power at the protest venue. This action was met with criticism from activists, who are now considering taking legal action against the police.
Karin de Rigo, a parliamentary candidate for the German branch of DIEM25, was present at the conference. She stated that the protesters were treated like criminals, and the police not only stormed the stage but also cut the power, which she described as transmitting violence during the conference.
Berlin mayor Kai Wegner, in a statement, said that it was "intolerable" that the pro-Palestinian conference was happening in Berlin. He further added that Berlin does not tolerate antisemitism, hatred, and incitement against Jews.
Salman Abu Sitta, who is banned from entering Germany, appeared at the conference via video call. His presence and the subsequent shutdown of the conference have sparked a heated debate about freedom of speech and the limits of tolerance in a democratic society.
This incident comes at a time when tensions between Israel and Palestine are running high, and protests supporting both sides have been a common sight in many cities around the world. The shutdown of the pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin has raised questions about the balance between freedom of speech and the need to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence.
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