On Wednesday, union chiefs in Germany urged their membership to withstand the “escalating provocation and hatred”, as May Day protests took place amidst heightened tensions due to reactions towards Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Over 6,000 law enforcement officers were deployed in Berlin on Wednesday evening during labour day celebrations, which transitioned into a charged, yet largely peaceful, procession led by left-wing and far-left factions.
Participants were observed chanting various slogans during their march through the leftist Kreuzberg district after 6pm. Examples included: “From the river to the sea”, “Cease the genocide”, “Yalla yalla intifada” and the Arabic phrase “Palestine is Arab”. As a result of these outlawed chants being voiced, police intervened several times to halt the estimated 7,500-strong crowd. The group known as the Revolutionary Communist Party was heard chanting “intifada until victory”.
Before the march, many of the above phrases were announced as prohibited by the police. This also included translations in Arabic, due to laws against anti-Semitism and incitement. At a pro-Palestinian demonstration at a New York university, approximately 300 people were apprehended. Meanwhile, Israeli supporters launched attacks in LA.
Previously, the leader of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Yasmin Fahimi, implored its members to counter the rising tide of extreme right-wing groups, until these “brown instigators are brought to heel”. During this time of escalating pressure, conventional labour requests were overshadowed in light of recent Hamas attacks on Israel. Consequently, the focus shifted towards the police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Last week, a Palestinian camaraderie camp within the parliamentary region of Berlin was closed by law enforcement. Early Wednesday, flame engulfed 16 delivery vans owned by the online retail giant, Amazon. Law enforcement is investigating whether this was an act of arson.
Anticipation of a stronger police presence during this year’s May Day commemorations had risen following calls in Hamburg on the preceding Sunday for the establishment of Islamic law and a “caliphate” to supersede Germany’s democratic norms. These calls were part of a rally organized by Muslim Interactive, considered an extremist entity by Germany’s intelligence authorities.
Nancy Faeser, Federal Interior Minister, expressed recently that Germany is no place for those seeking to establish a caliphate. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor, asserts that it is vital to curtail all Islamist activities using whatever lawful options available. The slogans during the protest and the event itself have enraged Germany, leading to a demand for stricter repercussions for those rallying to end democratic rule by opposition politicians. Reacting to a potential recurrence on Wednesday night, the Hamburg authorities mobilised 1,800 officers to overlook a protest with roughly 9,000 attendees. Meanwhile, on Tuesday’s Berlin demonstrations, queer-feminist groups staged serene “Take back the night” protests, with sporadic minor scuffles with the police involving fireworks and eggs.