In Germany, a pro-Palestinian activist has been arrested for her social media activity, with her electronic devices seized, signaling a crackdown on free speech.
The arrest was made following the woman’s posting of the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” on her social media accounts. Berlin police stated that the 41-year-old was apprehended on Wednesday morning during a search of her residence, under suspicion of “using the symbols of unconstitutional organizations.”
According to police statements, the woman is accused of sharing content deemed illegal related to Hamas and the ongoing Middle East conflict, including the aforementioned slogan, in four instances since October 2023. During the search, authorities confiscated three cell phones, two computers, and a hard drive. The woman was briefly detained for identification before being released.
The phrase “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free” has been banned in several German states, such as Bavaria and Berlin, citing it as antisemitic. However, activists argue that it is a call for equal rights and justice for Palestinians.
Germany, known for its strong support of Israel, has intensified its crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, prohibiting numerous rallies across major cities in recent months.
