As a journalist covering the protest in Berlin on May 1, 2024, the dissonance between the official reports of a "peaceful protest" and the harsh reality I witnessed on the streets is jarring. This wasn't just another Labor Day demonstration; it was a platform for dangerous rhetoric that went largely unchecked by the authorities.
Advocating for terrorist acts: From "Yallah Yallah Intifada" to "Bomb Tel Aviv"
Thousands gathered under the guise of a Revolutionary May Day protest. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted as segments of the crowd began to chant not just for Palestinian rights but for the outright destruction of Israel. The chants were precise and chilling: "Intifada until victory," "Israel is a terror state," "From the River to the Sea," and others that not only challenge but threaten the existence of an entire nation. These aren't just provocative slogans; they are war cries with no place in a peaceful protest. Amid these calls, one could hear "We want 48," a stark denial of Israel's right to exist, echoing the darkest chapters of intolerance. I reported before about this slogan. Also, demonstrators expressed solidarity with militant groups like Yemen's Houthi rebels.
This wasn't merely an outburst at a march - it was a manifesto of destruction openly declared in the heart of Germany's capital. It was a failure to learn from history, a lapse in societal vigilance that could allow destructive ideologies to fester and grow.
The police, bolstered by units from across the nation, stood passively; their actions - or lack thereof - spoke volumes. Known agitators, familiar faces to law enforcement from previous encounters, were allowed to broadcast their abuse without consequence. This wasn't due to a lack of opportunities to intervene but a choice, a decision that paints a concerning picture of selective enforcement.
A contradiction to the city's avowed values of openness and tolerance
It's critical to address why this matters. The chants and slogans weren't merely radical; they bordered on calls for the destruction of Jewish people. These issues cannot be ignored or treated lightly, especially in a country like Germany, which has a particularly charged history. The absence of "stone-throwers" does not equate to a peaceful protest. The damage from these words can have far-reaching consequences, sowing seeds of hatred and division.
It's disappointing and alarming to see law enforcement downplay the severity of these incidents. They miss the essential evidence needed to counteract this narrative by not taking decisive action or recording these moments. This isn't about quieting free speech but recognizing the line between protest and incitement to hate.
The few detentions and use of pepper spray reported by the police pale compared to what was required.
The authorities' lax approach sends a troubling signal to groups supporting terrorism: that Berlin will allow it. This is not the lesson that should be conveyed in any city, let alone one striving to champion the values of democracy and human rights.
As someone who has covered countless demonstrations, I find the glaring disparity between the calm scenes reported and the virulent chants I heard deeply unsettling. This was not the Berlin I know, a city celebrated for its commitment to peace and inclusivity. Hearing chants like 'Bomb Tel Aviv' and seeing signs of solidarity with militant groups not only challenges my understanding of lawful protest but also strikes a chord of historical alarm. These are not the words of simple dissent; they are calls to arms that should horrify anyone aware of history's darker chapters.
To watch police forces, fully capable and present, choose passivity as voices around me called for destruction was nothing short of shocking. Their inaction wasn't just a failure of duty; it felt like a silent endorsement of the hatred spewing unabated around me. Ignoring these signals of hate and dismissing them as part of a peaceful demonstration is not just naive; it's dangerous.
These words create ripples that can escalate into waves of violence, threatening not just national peace but international stability. I urge my colleagues in the media to look beyond the surface calm and recognize the problematic undercurrents.
We must report the full spectrum of events, not just the parts that fit a more comfortable narrative.