
Police hurt and dozens arrested at Berlin pro-Palestinian demonstration
The arrests were related to public order disturbances, including resisting police and throwing bottles or physical altercation, but also the use of anti-Semitic slogans as well as "symbols of anti-constitutional and terrorist organisations", police said on social media.
The "Internationalist Queer Pride for Liberation" movement, which on its website says there is "no queer liberation without anti-imperialist, anti-colonial, and anti-Zionist struggle", called the rally.
The pro-Palestinian demonstration took place as Berlin's annual Pride parade was being held in another city district, where 64 arrests were also made, for insults, assault and also the alleged use of symbols deemed linked to "terrorist organisations".
Another demonstration, this one by far-right militants opposed to the Pride march, also took place, with police telling AFP that 20 people there were arrested.
READ ALSO:
IN PICTURES: Hundreds of thousands march at Berlin Pride demonstration
Pro-Palestinian protests have proliferated in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
The demonstrations reflect heightened concerns as the Israel-Hamas conflict grinds on, with Israel pursuing a devastating military operation in Gaza following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.
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The Hamas attack in Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
The Israeli campaign has killed 59,733 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Germany, seeking to atone for the Holocaust, has long been one of Israel's most steadfast supporters. But as the civilian toll and plight in Gaza has risen, it has recently sharpened its criticism of its ally.
Germany recently said it regards the recognition of a Palestinian state as "one of the final steps on the path to achieving a two-state solution".
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Int'l Business Times
5 minutes ago
- Int'l Business Times
Trump's MAGA Base Defies Conservative Pro-Israel Doctrine
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DW
3 hours ago
- DW
UK to recognize Palestine state unless Israel stops Gaza war – DW – 07/30/2025
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DW
7 hours ago
- DW
How Trump's trip split Scotland – DW – 07/29/2025
The US president has a soft spot for Scotland — but the feeling isn't mutual for most Scots. Trump's business-and-pleasure trip offered political wins for both sides. Will Scotland keep him at an arm's length? Donald Trump may be the most powerful member of Scotland's diaspora, but most people in his mother's country of birth did not view the US president's recent trip as the return of a prodigal son. As Trump touched down in Ayrshire late last week to begin a golfing holiday heavy on global geopolitics, Scotland's nationalist-leaning newspaper printed a front page that summed up how many here see him: "Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland," it read. Anti-Trump protesters gathered under grey summer skies in Aberdeen on Saturday vented about the visit. "Deport Donald!" was scrawled on one cardboard placard. "Yer maw was an immigrant!" another sign read, adding some Scottish slang into the proverbial mudslinging. 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This kind of trip, mixing the private with the political — and business with pleasure — is unusual for a sitting US president. By now, America's allies are accustomed to Trump's tendency to upend diplomatic norms, but the sight of a US leader playing host to UK and Scottish counterparts as guests on their own soil was still striking. Trump was in control, but they seemed happy to play along — and all three will go back to their capitals claiming diplomatic or economic wins. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's John Swinney both pressed Trump to use his influence to end the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, and Trump appeared to toughen his position on Russia — music to the ears of European allies. On a more personal level, Trump seemed sold on Scotland's Swinney, calling him a "terrific guy" before leaving on Tuesday. But Swinney was more cautious in his assessment, reflecting the political tightrope he is walking. Swinney steered clear of his past Trump-bashing, but also dodged repeated questions on whether he "liked" the US president. "He was pleasant company," Swinney told Scottish broadcaster STV on Tuesday. "I think my personal feelings about people are irrelevant. I've got a job to do," he added. That job includes trying to cushion the blow of US tariffs to Scotch whisky, one of the country's biggest exports. And some have been urging the first minister to drop the "grin and bear it" approach and embrace Trump to reap the possible rewards of the most powerful man in the world having a soft spot for Scotland. "I don't think we should expect all Scots to love Donald Trump. But we need to respect the position of president of the United States," businessman Allan Henderson told DW on Tuesday. "If he is prepared to invest in our country and employ people," he added, "then I'm sorry, I would get behind that." "We rely on goods like Scotch exports to the United States. The last thing you want to do is to put that industry into peril." Swinney told reporters on Tuesday that Trump had showed "willingness' to look at issues raised, including exempting whisky from US duties. No formal deal for Scotch was struck. Businessman Allan Henderson's home region of Aberdeenshire is no stranger to Trump-driven controversy. The US president was quick to bring up his age-old Aberdonian foe during this latest visit. For more than a decade, Trump has been railing against wind turbines that generate renewable energy near Aberdeen and elsewhere. He even unsuccessfully sued the Scottish government to try and halt construction of a wind farm near his golf course — a case that made it all the way to the UK Supreme Court. "Get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil," was Trump's message to Scotland before embarking on his most recent trip. As Trump winds up his five-day working holiday in Scotland, it's likely that his stake in Scottish politics may long outlive his presidency. After all, his business interests will continue to be bound by laws laid down in Edinburgh and London. Political scientist Chris Carman said it was not simply "a one-way street" whereby Scottish First Minister John Swinney is scrambling to make it positive. "Both leaders have an interest in trying to make sure that there's that positive dialogue between the Trump Organization and the Scottish government." "Donald Trump is perfectly willing to leverage both his soft and hard power in pursuing his financial interests and protecting his financial interests in Scotland," Carman told DW.. And that leaves at least one certainty for Scotland in a world increasingly defined by the stroke of an unpredictable presidential pen. As Carman put it: "Donald Trump is going to be a feature in Scottish politics."