Berlin Police Disperse Pro-Palestinian Camp, Clashes Ensue over Israel Arms Exports
Berlin police on April 23 began clearing a pro-Palestinian protest camp in front of the German parliament, forcibly removing activists and dismantling tents.
The camp, named "Occupy Against Occupation," had been set up on April 8, coinciding with International Court of Justice hearings in Nicaragua's case against Germany for providing military aid to Israel.
The action came after clashes between demonstrators and police on US campuses and a blockade at Paris' Sciences Po university, as part of international protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza and Western support for Israel.
A group of protesters, led by Jara Nassar, set up a camp in Berlin to draw attention to Israel's actions in Gaza and its alleged complicity in the Palestinian genocide.
Israel denies these accusations.
The protesters chanted pro-Palestinian slogans and sang songs while police asked them to leave.
Udi Raz, a Jewish PhD student and member of the Jewish Voice association, supported the protest and participated with other Jewish activists.
They held a Passover dinner at the camp and broadcasted the event live on social media.
The protesters expressed admiration for similar protests in the US and showed no intention of stopping.
The text reports that a protest camp in Germany was ordered closed by police due to violations by some protesters, such as using unconstitutional symbols and slogans.
The police spokesperson stated that public safety and order were at risk, and tents had to be moved daily under local regulations.
A protester criticized the decision, comparing the importance of maintaining the lawn to the lives of over 40,000 people killed in Gaza by the Israeli military.