Firecrackers are flying again at pro-Palestine demonstrations. Justice Minister Buschmann warns that current law must be implemented quickly and criminals punished. The Union and the police union are also calling for more consistent action.
Against the backdrop of riots at pro-Palestinian rallies, Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann emphasized the right to freedom of demonstration. However, there are a “lot of strict laws” to take action against criminal offenses during such demonstrations, said the FDP politician RBB info radio. “We have to enforce the law on our streets,” said Buschmann.
That’s why it’s important that the police establish the identities of suspected criminals during the demonstrations, that the people are arrested in case of doubt and that “they then get their punishment.” Freedom to demonstrate is an important right. “But whenever the border with criminal law is crossed, we have to make it clear that this is not okay,” emphasized the Federal Minister of Justice.
Clearly distinguish between expression of opinion and hate speech
Regarding possible bans on rallies, Buschmann said that a clear dividing line must be drawn between legitimate demonstrations and expression of opinions on the one hand, and incitement and propaganda on the other. If it is expected that crimes will be committed at a rally, a ban is permissible. But anyone who demonstrates for peace or wants to express their sadness “can do that and should do that,” Buschmann emphasized: “But what is not possible is that you then incite against Jews under the guise of a peace demonstration.”
Reul: If necessary, enforce rules by force
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul described it as an outrageous “state of affairs that people are dancing around on German streets and cheering that others are being murdered. That’s crazy,” said the CDU politician. He welcomed the federal government’s plans to ban the activities of the radical Islamic Hamas, but considers its effect to be limited. “You shouldn’t expect that this will solve the problem, because the people who behave in such an impossible way are still there,” said Reul on Deutschlandfunk.
Nevertheless, bans on activities and associations are always a means of getting the official actions of organizations under control. Even those who “have the strangest ideas” are allowed to demonstrate in Germany. “But he has to stick to the rules,” said the CDU politician. There are no simple solutions when dealing with Hamas supporters. Anyone who calls for bans on demonstrations and decisive police intervention is accepting images that “won’t be pretty.” “And I can imagine what kind of debates will come,” said Reul. The rule of law only works if the police use force to enforce rules if necessary.
CDUSecretary General: Expulsion if Israel is denied
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann also called for tougher action by the authorities against crime. “The state must now show that it is capable of defending itself,” Linnemann told the newspapers of the Bavaria media group. Political Islam has been spreading for years.
There is “obviously a problem that many people have come to us who are hostile to the state of Israel and Judaism.” Linnemann suggested “that everyone who comes to this country must sign an integration agreement. And this must, among other things, include recognition of Israel’s right to exist.” Anyone who breaks this agreement must expect to be deported.
Police union demands quick Legal proceedings
The chairman of the police union (GdP), Jochen Kopelke, also called on the judiciary to act quickly in the event of crimes. “We need quick trials and verdicts against the rioters,” Kopelke told the editorial network Germany (RND).
He spoke of an “absolutely disgusting atmosphere in Germany” and also referred, among other things, to the attempted arson attack on a Jewish community in Berlin on Wednesday night. According to the Kahal Adass Yisroel community, unknown people threw Molotov cocktails towards the community center in Berlin-Mitte. The Central Council of Jews in Germany spoke of a “terrorist attack” on the building, which houses a synagogue, a Jewish school and a Jewish daycare center.
Kaddor: Stars of David on front doors remind us of dark times
Anti-Semitism in Germany is reaching a new dimension – not just for Jews, said the Green Party’s domestic policy spokeswoman, Lamya Kaddor, in ZDF morning magazine. “It’s definitely a new dimension for us and our domestic political events – in terms of quality, in the massiveness, in the mood, in the overall context. Geopolitically, it’s definitely another turning point, and people here also notice it, especially Jews “Jews. When Stars of David are smeared on house doors again, it reminds us of very dark times,” said the Islamic scholar.
There is imported anti-Semitism in Germany. But it is important to emphasize that not all Muslims are anti-Semitic. Germany needs ruthless self-reflection on the topic, the state needs to invest more money in order to address the issue structurally – for example through democracy education and anti-Semitism training. In addition, the state must address “the fact that we expect Muslim civil society actors to see themselves as part of this alliance against anti-Semitism,” said Kaddor.
Steinmeier calls for distancing from Hamas
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has also called on Muslim organizations to distance themselves from Hamas. “I expect that the Muslim organizations and associations will clearly distance themselves from the terror of Hamas,” said Steinmeier MDR.
The Federal President expressed his horror at attacks on police officers during pro-Palestinian protests and the arson attack on a Jewish community center in Berlin. “These are events that we simply cannot tolerate and where there must also be criminal prosecution.” Jewish life deserves protection, said the Federal President. “In Germany, the protection of Jewish life is also a consequence of history.”
Firecrackers and barricades in Berlin, water cannons in Frankfurt
In the evening, despite a ban, riots broke out again at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin-Neukölln. Firecrackers flew towards the police and garbage cans burned.
There were also pro-Palestinian rallies in other cities in Germany. In Frankfurt am Main, police used a water cannon to break up a banned pro-Palestinian vigil. According to a police spokesman, around 100 people took part in the vigil at the main station. There was also a pro-Palestinian spontaneous meeting in Kassel with around 110 participants, the police said. This remained peaceful.