- Police raided the homes of pro-Palestinian people who participated in protests
- Protests have been happening for almost a year
Police raided the homes of pro-Palestinian people who participated in protests
On Monday morning, police in the German capital, Berlin, raided the homes of five pro-Palestinian activists, one of whom allegedly threw a microphone stand at a local politician.
Berlin police and prosecutors said the five men, aged between 18 and 40, are suspected of disturbing the peace, inciting people, and using the symbols of unconstitutional organizations.
No arrests have been made. Some 125 police officers took part in the raids on apartments in five districts of Berlin.
One 18-year-old is suspected of throwing a microphone stand at Berlin's Culture Minister Joe Chialo during the opening of a local arts center in mid-September.
Protests have been happening for almost a year
Chialo had sought to withdraw public funding from arts groups that condemn Israel and call for a boycott of the country because of the war in Gaza and its policies towards Palestinians.
During the event, around 40 people chanted various slogans and allegedly insulted Chialo. The young man who threw the sign is suspected of attempted grievous bodily harm.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place in Germany, particularly in Berlin, since the terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October, which provoked the war in the Gaza Strip.
The protests have included anti-Semitic speeches and slogans and incidents of violence, but critics accuse the German police of a crackdown on free speech.
Based on ELTA reports
