A group of pro-Palestinian students gathered outside the Humboldt University in Berlin, chanting slogans against Israel and accusing Zionism of being a crime. The demonstration escalated, leading to the police intervening in the situation and making several arrests. The protesters refused offers to engage in dialogue with the university administration and instead resorted to inflammatory language directed at the university president. The protest was organized by the Student Coalition Berlin to address alleged violations of academic freedom in the region, although the specific grievances were unclear.
The demonstrators, including both men and women, accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and called for the recognition of Palestinian statehood by universities in Germany. The rhetoric used by the protesters echoed themes of anti-Semitism and portrayed Israel as the sole aggressor in the conflict. Some participants glorified past terrorist acts against Jews in Israel, further fueling tensions. The group’s allegations were refuted by the lack of acknowledgment of Hamas’ terrorist attacks and the plight of hostages in prior incidents.
The atmosphere during the demonstration was hostile towards the press and law enforcement officers, with derogatory terms used to dehumanize the police. The protesters accused the media of lying and disparaged officers with offensive language. Despite calls for voluntary compliance with police orders, some demonstrators resisted physically, resulting in their removal from the premises. The remaining protesters outside showed solidarity with those being taken away, celebrating their actions and chanting anti-police slogans.
As the protest dwindled in numbers, with only a few remaining demonstrators by late afternoon, videos depicting alleged police brutality circulated online. The university took a firm stance against anti-Israel sentiment, demonstrating zero tolerance for such behavior. The lackluster response from the student body, with only a small fraction of the student population participating in the demonstration, highlighted a lack of widespread interest or engagement in the issue. The absence of a counter-protest further emphasized the divisive nature of the debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
