Activists raise Palestinian flag outside German parliament in protest over Gaza war

Pro-Palestinian activists raised a Palestinian flag outside Germany’s parliament building on Sunday in a protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Berlin’s continued military support for Israel.

The group Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility for the demonstration, which took place at Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag building housing the Bundestag.

According to German newspaper die tageszeitung (taz), a 22-year-old activist climbed a flagpole approximately 28.5 meters high and raised the Palestinian flag while two other activists assisted from the ground.

The group said the action was intended to express solidarity with Palestinians and draw attention to the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Daniel Göbel, a representative of Peacefully Against Genocide who was present at the scene, accused Germany of complicity in Israel’s actions in Gaza, citing continued exports of German-made weapons to Israel.

Göbel also called for accountability for those responsible for Germany’s military support.

According to taz, the activist remained near the top of the flagpole for approximately one hour, secured with specialized climbing equipment, before descending independently at around 12:30 pm local time.

Police and firefighters subsequently removed the Palestinian flag using an aerial ladder.

More than 100 people gathered to observe the demonstration, with some applauding in support of the activists.

Berlin police said they temporarily detained the 22-year-old protester and verified the identities of two other participants, aged 20 and 32, who were ordered to leave the area.

Authorities opened an investigation into possible offenses, including disparagement of the state and its symbols, damage to public property, violations of Berlin’s assembly laws and trespassing.

The investigation has been referred to the State Security division of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office.

The protest took place at a symbolically significant location. Since German reunification in 1990, the flagpole outside the Reichstag has displayed the Flag of Unity, representing the country’s reunification.

By replacing the flag with a Palestinian one, the activists sought to direct attention toward Germany’s position on the Gaza war and its military relationship with Israel.

The demonstration forms part of a broader series of pro-Palestinian protests in Germany focused on arms exports to Israel, the German government’s political position on the conflict and the humanitarian consequences of Israeli military operations in Gaza.

According to taz, Peacefully Against Genocide organized a similar demonstration approximately one year earlier at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, where activists displayed a Palestinian flag and a protest banner.