German authorities dispersed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment located in the courtyard of Freie Universitaet Berlin on Tuesday, following the student’s call to halt Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Approximately 100 individuals erected around two dozen tents on the campus, responding to a call from the self-styled “Student Coalition Berlin” to occupy German universities.
Students from multiple Berlin universities participated in the demonstration, brandishing Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of Palestinians while criticising Israel and Germany.
The left-wing student coalition demanded the dismissal of criminal charges against students and others who expressed solidarity with Palestinians on campuses.
Additionally, they called for universities to publicly oppose proposed reforms to Berlin’s senate that could lead to the expulsion of students for political reasons.
The demonstrators also advocated for the prohibition of police presence on campus and the reinstatement of academics and staff members who had been expelled or defunded due to their political positions.
Freie Universität Berlin reported that protesters attempted to gain entry to university facilities, prompting the filing of criminal complaints and the suspension of lectures in multiple buildings.
Guenter Ziegler, president of Freie Universität Berlin, expressed disapproval of the protest’s approach, stating, “This kind of protest is not dialogue-oriented.
“An occupation of university property is not acceptable. We welcome academic debate and dialogue – but not in this form.”
While student protests related to the conflict and academic relations with Israel have emerged in Europe, they have not reached the same scale as those in the United States.
The demonstrators were rallying against Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which commenced following a Hamas attack in Israel on October 7th resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals.
According to Gaza health authorities, Israeli reprisals have led to the deaths of over 34,000 people in the enclave.
The protest site at Freie Universitaet Berlin was surrounded by more than 25 police vehicles, with authorities clearing the area in response to a request from university management due to the lack of protest registration.
Berlin police noted instances of individuals being detained for incitement to hatred and trespassing on Freie Universitaet Berlin property, warning that those who failed to comply with orders would be apprehended and subsequently reported via a post on social media platform X.
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Read also: Dutch Riot Police Clear pro-Hamas Demonstration at Amsterdam University
Dutch riot police concluded a pro-Palestinian demonstration at an Amsterdam university early on Tuesday, employing bulldozers to clear barricades and detaining approximately 125 individuals amid sporadic clashes, authorities reported.
According to statements issued on social media platform X overnight, law enforcement officials indicated that they were compelled to intervene to halt the event and dismantle makeshift encampments erected by demonstrators, who reportedly hurled projectiles and ignited fireworks.
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