During rally near Wittenbergplatz metro station in Berlin, some protesters deliver speeches in Arabic and chant anti-Israel and anti-US slogans to the tune of Arabic music
German police on Saturday arrested several pro-Palestinian protestors in Berlin and forced them to stop playing music and chanting Arab slogans against Israel during a rally.
Hundreds of people gathered at the square near the Wittenbergplatz metro station in support of Palestine, under the slogan "Stop the aggression in the West Bank—Do not supply weapons to Israel."
Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs reading "Hands off the West Bank," "Stop arming Israel," "Gaza is not for sale," "Freedom for Palestine," and "Palestinian children deserve to grow up."
During the rally, some protesters delivered speeches in Arabic and chanted anti-Israel and anti-US slogans to the tune of Arabic music.
Police intervened, citing an Arabic music ban, and demanded that it be stopped.
An announcement from a police vehicle then stated that chanting in Arabic or giving speeches has been prohibited, and due to the violation, the demonstration must end now. Authorities instructed the protesters to leave the square.
Over 50 protesters refused to disperse and staged a sit-in protest, prompting a heavy police response. Numerous protesters were detained by law enforcement.
Before the event, police had imposed conditions that allowed only German and English slogans while prohibiting marches. Nearly 250 police officers were at the site of the protest demonstration.
A ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, halting Israel's genocidal war, which has killed more than 47,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
