Germany’s Left Party urges end of government crackdown on pro-Palestine activism

Germany’s opposition party Die Linke (Left Party) has called for an end to the government’s crackdown on pro-Palestine activism, demanding urgent policy changes.

Speaking at a state party conference in Berlin on Saturday, Die Linke co-chair Ines Schwerdtner called for an end to "the repression against pro-Palestinian movements".  

She framed the issue as one of shared rights, arguing that "Palestinian self-determination can only go hand in hand with Jewish self-determination in Israel and Palestine, and vice versa".

Schwerdtner also urged the party to maintain its strong support for the Palestinian cause, as Die Linke continues to denounce Israel’s brutal assault on the Gaza Strip since 7 October 2023.

The party’s intervention follows an October report by UN experts that highlighted serious concerns about the criminalisation and suppression of pro-Palestinian sentiment in Germany. 

The experts pointed to an escalation in restrictions on Palestine solidarity actions and protests over the past two years.  

They also noted reports of police violence against activists, with some demonstrators injured and requiring medical treatment. Protesters have been arrested for using pro-Palestinian chants and slogans, such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" - widely used by the global solidarity movement for Palestinian liberation.  

UN experts criticised German authorities for characterising such expressions as support for Hamas - an argument that has been propogated by Israel and pro-Israel groups.

German police tactics have been repeatedly condemned by local and international rights groups as heavy-handed.

Meanwhile, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) warned in October that protest rights are being curtailed across Western countries, including the UK, the US, France and Germany, disproportionately affecting pro-Palestinian activism. 

The FIDH report argued that governments have "weaponised" counter-terrorism measures and the fight against antisemitism to silence dissent and restrict support for Palestinian rights in Gaza and the West Bank. 

"This trend reflects a worrying shift towards the normalisation of exceptional measures in dealing with dissenting voices," said Yosra Frawes, who heads the Maghreb and Middle East desk at FIDH. 

In Germany, pro-Palestine demonstrations have continued to attract thousands, even as the government maintains strong pro-Israel policies shaped by the country’s post-war identity and its historical role in the Holocaust.  

Last month, the German government approved new arms exports to Israel, despite pledging in September to introduce partial restrictions following criticism of Berlin’s support for Israel's war on Gaza.

UN experts and leading human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have determined that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.