From BZ/dpa
The Berlin police are preparing for new Palestinian demonstrations. Will there be new anti-Jewish slogans?
It was only on Saturday that the demo of shame in Berlin caused massive criticism from politicians. The actions of the police in the casserole with around 300 demonstrators was sharply criticized. Despite the ban on hate speech against Israel and calls for violence against Israel, officials did not intervene, although translators were on site. Now there should already be the next rallies.
► So far, according to the authorities, two events have been announced for this weekend, one on Saturday at Hermannplatz, the other on Sunday through Neukölln. The police are holding talks with the respective applicants, said a spokeswoman. Stricter requirements are also being discussed.
A danger prognosis for the meetings had been drawn up, which would be adapted to further developments. “We will also have a look at developments in the Middle East,” said the spokeswoman.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Ambassador Laith Arafeh stressed that any form of “hatespeach” would be expressly and unequivocally rejected. Attempts to blame the Palestinian community in Germany for the behavior of a few individuals and to foment anti-Palestinian racism are noted with concern, the Palestinian Mission in Berlin wrote on Twitter.
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (45, FDP) had sharply condemned the slogans at the anti-Jewish demonstration on Saturday. “When groups chant ‘Death to the Jews’ on German streets, there is an initial suspicion of hate speech under Section 130 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code,” said Buschmann. “I assume that all the responsible security authorities will take action accordingly.”
The Berlin police received numerous criminal charges after the demo on Saturday. It is being investigated on suspicion of incitement to hatred.