Stunned yet anticipatory after the attack on my sister, Kitty O'Brien
In a shocking turn of events, Kitty O'Brien, an Irish activist living in Berlin, was violently assaulted by German police during a pro-Palestine protest in May. The attack, which left Kitty with injuries including a broken arm, a fractured nose, possible lifelong nerve damage to their right hand, and unable to move it, has sparked outrage and concern both in Ireland and across the EU.
Kitty is a member of the Irish Bloc, a group formed by Irish activists and residents in Berlin in February 2024. The Irish Bloc has expanded to become one of the biggest pro-Palestine organizing groups in Germany, hosting events, organizing ceili fundraisers, and coordinating BDS campaigns. They have also lobbied Irish and German diplomats to take action against Israel's persistent violations of international and humanitarian law.
The assault on Kitty was not the first time they or their comrades had been violently assaulted by German police at a pro-Palestine protest. German authorities have stated that Kitty's "verbally aggressive" behavior at the protest justified the use of force. However, the videos of Kitty's assault are seen as a vivid illustration of intolerance to free speech at the heart of the EU.
Germany serves as a key ally to Israel, being the second-largest supplier of arms to the country after the US. This close relationship appears to have influenced Germany's stance on Palestine, and it is unlikely to change unless the US permits it. Furthermore, Germany has implemented measures that restrict and ban many forms of pro-Palestine action, even after protests have been registered with the authorities.
The incident involving Kitty prompted public protests and diplomatic concern, with the Irish Ambassador intervening due to the involvement of an Irish citizen. However, tokenistic political gestures and moral condemnation of Kitty's assault in Ireland will not achieve much without greater coordinated pressure across the EU to hold Germany accountable for its role in Gaza's destruction and the violent policing of pro-Palestine activists.
Jack O'Brien, a youth worker and activist, has been a vocal advocate for Kitty and the Irish Bloc. "We will not be silenced," he said. "We will continue to stand up for Palestine, and we will not let the violence and intimidation of the German police deter us."
As the Irish Bloc and other pro-Palestine groups continue to organize and protest, the future remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the fight for justice and freedom of speech in Germany and across the EU is far from over.
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