Illustrated by Dulce Pop-Bonini.
German Police Crack Down on Pro-Palestine Protests over Arabic Chants
Recent pro-Palestine protests in Berlin sparked police intervention leading to measures including prison and a ban on Arabic. Does this set a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression?
Feb 25, 2025
Berlin authorities forcibly dispersed pro-Palestine protests on Feb. 8, arresting several demonstrators for speaking and chanting in Arabic. The protest, held at Wittenbergplatz Square in Berlin, has sparked concerns about Germany’s increasing restrictions on free speech.
Around 300 people gathered to denounce Israel’s military operations in the West Bank and to call for an official arms embargo. The demonstration, organized under the slogan “Stop the aggression in the West Bank – Do not supply weapons to Israel,” began peacefully, with participants carrying Palestinian flags and signs.
However, the peace was short-lived, as tensions rose when some protesters began chanting and delivering speeches in Arabic. Police intervened almost immediately, citing a ban on Arabic chants and music insisting only German and English in protest signs and chants. German authorities defended this measure claiming they lack of sufficient Arabic-speaking officers and interpreters to monitor the demonstrators effectively.
When protestors refused to comply, police ordered the crowd to disperse. Approximately 50 demonstrators staged a sit-in protest, leading to multiple arrests at the site. Sources report that 30 people were detained and 13 criminal and administrative offenses were recorded.
This crackdown is part of a broader pattern of restriction on pro-Palestine demonstrations in Germany since October 2023. Human rights groups have criticized these measures for disproportionately targeting Arabic speakers and activists critical of Israel’s actions.
Amnesty International has condemned the language restrictions, calling them blatantly discriminatory and a violation of free speech. The organization urged German authorities to immediately lift the restrictions and respect the right to peaceful assembly.
This incident has reignited debates about civil liberties in Germany, with human rights advocates warning that such policies could set dangerous precedents for freedom of expression. As international scrutiny intensifies, questions remain regarding Germany’s balance between public order and what many consider fundamental democratic freedoms.
Joshua Isaac is a Senior Opinions Editor. Email them at feedback@thegazelle.org.
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