Post-October 7 policing in Berlin has gone rogue

 

Timo Al-Farooq argues that post–October 7 policing in Berlin has crossed into open authoritarianism, targeting Palestine solidarity while expanding unaccountable police power.

Since "Israel’s" German-backed genocidal war on Gaza began over two years ago, the excessive and violent police actions against members of the Palestine solidarity movement in Germany, particularly in the capital Berlin, have done irreparable damage to the country’s global reputation.

Multiple human rights watchdogs have denounced the pattern of violence committed by the platoons of police officers routinely deployed at peaceful, anti-genocide rallies.

But the Berliner Polizei, drunk on power and a lack of accountability, seems to wear these repeated condemnations as badges of honour, rather than treat them as clarion calls for desperately needed self-examination and self-improvement.

Under controversial mayor Kai Wegner and his Christian Democratic-led coalition government, the city-state of Berlin is expanding police powers in an unprecedented manner.  (more...)

Post-October 7 policing in Berlin has gone rogue