German police have shown their true face of repression during pro-Palestine protests in Berlin and Hamburg. While the world watches the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalate, the streets of Germany have turned into battlegrounds for peaceful demonstrators. On July 5th, 18 people were arrested during protests, and videos of brutal arrests have gone viral. Police officers mercilessly used so-called collar holds, pushing young and old alike, even detaining an elderly woman after a verbal dispute. All this while demonstrators peacefully expressed solidarity with the residents of the Gaza Strip, suffering the consequences of the war that began on October 7th with Hamas’s attack on Israel.
This wave of arrests comes amid months of pro-Palestinian protests worldwide, but in Germany, authorities clearly do not want the people’s voice to be heard. Instead of protecting the right to peaceful assembly, the police decided to treat demonstrators like criminals. Is this the start of a serious crackdown on freedom of expression in Europe? While the world is preoccupied with war, another battle is being fought in Berlin – a battle between citizens and repressive law enforcement.
If you think this is just another ordinary protest, think again. Arrest footage shows police mercilessly beating and detaining people of all ages. One young man was pushed during arrest, and an elderly woman ended up in a police station after a verbal clash. Demonstrators requested women to stay on the protest’s periphery, but that did not stop police from reacting violently.
This situation raises a serious question: where is the line between maintaining public order and violating basic human rights? Germany, a country proud of its democracy and freedoms, now faces accusations of police brutality and suppression of free speech. As the Middle East conflict continues, it seems that a fight for citizens’ rights to express their opinions is also raging in the heart of Europe.
If you thought protests were just noise and chaos, watch these videos and ask yourself – is this really how police should treat their citizens? Or is this a sign that the time is coming when freedom of expression will be just a distant memory? Jump into the conversation, share your thoughts, and tell us – where do you think the line between order and repression lies?
