Community in Neukölln seeks out fresh premises
The upcoming pro-Palestinian solidarity event in Berlin-Neukölln, organised by the left-wing party Die Linke, has sparked controversy due to its association with the United Palestinian National Committee (UPNC), a group identified by German authorities as an umbrella for Hamas supporters.
The event, planned for Saturday afternoon, has come under criticism due to fears of antisemitic and terror-glorifying content. The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified the UPNC as "Islamism/Islamist Terrorism," citing its collaboration with "other anti-Israel extremists." Coverage warns that the event might feature "anti-Israel and terror-glorifying speeches," raising concerns about incitement and the normalization of extremist views.
Local politicians in Berlin-Neukölln, like Deputy Mayor Gerrit Kringel, have publicly condemned antisemitism and hostility towards Israel, stressing that such sentiments should have no place in the district. The district mayor, Martin Hikel, sharply criticized the event, stating that Die Linke is aligning itself with anti-Semites and supporters of Hamas terror.
The controversy is intensified by the challenge that venues hosting these events face, with unclear awareness or silence about the participation of extremist-affiliated groups. Within the local political scene, the event has fueled debates on how to balance freedom of expression, solidarity with Palestinians, and the fight against antisemitism.
Despite the criticism, Die Linke Neukölln remains confident they will find suitable premises for the event. The party maintains that there is no connection to Hamas among all the invited guests. However, the Interior Administration's spokesperson did not comment on this assertion.
The Interior Administration's task is to always check whether there are efforts against the liberal democratic constitutional order or the idea of inter-ethnic understanding, especially the peaceful coexistence of peoples. The Berlin Office for the Protection of the Constitution does not observe Die Linke party in Berlin.
The UPNC is listed as a speaker for the event under the motto "Neukölln stands together - Solidarity with the people in Palestine." The Interior Administration's spokesperson did not evaluate the event of Die Linke in Neukölln.
The originally planned venue for the event has been cancelled, but Die Linke Neukölln is searching for new venues. The Interior Administration's spokesperson emphasized that their comment does not apply to the specific event of Die Linke in Neukölln.
This controversy reflects broader tensions within German society about Palestine activism and the boundaries of acceptable political discourse. The event in Berlin-Neukölln is part of a broader, contentious landscape of pro-Palestinian activism in Berlin, which has seen large-scale demonstrations but also state crackdowns and polarized public discourse. These movements emphasize Palestinian self-determination and highlight alleged complicity of Western governments, including Germany, in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but face accusations of antisemitism and support for terrorism from political and media sources.
The event organised by Die Linke in Berlin-Neukölln has sparked debates that intertwine with the broader landscape of pro-Palestinian activism, touching upon topics such as politics, general news, and crime-and-justice. The controversy surrounds the association of the United Palestinian National Committee (UPNC), listed as a speaker, with war-and-conflicts, given its reported ties to Hamas supporters. The event has faced criticism over potentially antisemitic and terror-glorifying content, parallel to discussions on solidarity, freedom of expression, and peaceful coexistence within the district. Despite the cancellation of the initially planned venue, the migration of the event to new locations has become a topic of interest in the sports of political arena, symbolizing the resilience of pro-Palestinian activism in Berlin.
