BERLIN, Germany: A Berlin court fined a woman 600 euros ($655) on Tuesday for using the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” at a protest. This ruling has sparked a debate about freedom of expression in Germany.
The 22-year-old woman, identified as Ava M., was penalized for chanting the slogan at a banned gathering in Berlin’s Neukoelln district on October 11. The court ruled that the slogan, used shortly after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, could be interpreted as denying Israel’s right to exist and endorsing the attack.
The phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is contentious. Some interpret it as a call for the destruction of Israel, while others see it as advocating for equality between Palestinians and Israelis. The slogan was banned by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in November as part of a broader prohibition on Hamas activities in Germany.
This legal decision is controversial. Courts in different regions of Germany have issued varied rulings on the use of the phrase, with some deeming it permissible. Lawyer Alexander Gorski, who represented Ava M., criticized the ruling, calling it “a dark day for freedom of expression.” He stated that his client aimed to express hope for democratic coexistence in the region and plans to appeal the decision.
The backdrop to this case includes the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s military response has led to at least 39,653 deaths mostly women and children. Germany’s strong support for Israel in this conflict is influenced by its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, but this stance has led to concerns that Palestinian voices are being marginalized.
