Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Germany convicts pro-Palestine activist for 'From River to Sea' chant

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 Aug 2024 14:11
3 Min Read

While Ava Moayeri and her team argue that the conviction represents a violation of free speech, the judge claims it challenged "Israel's" right to exist.

Listen
  • x
  • Women hold Palestinian flags during a demonstration against Israel's military offensive in Gaza, Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in Berlin, Germany (AP)
    Women hold Palestinian flags during a demonstration against "Israel's" military offensive in Gaza, Tuesday, July 22, 2014, in Berlin, Germany. (AP)

A Berlin court has convicted pro-Palestine activist Ava Moayeri, a 22-year-old German-Iranian national, for the "crime" of leading the chant "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," back in October. 

The presiding judge, Birgit Balzer, ordered Moayeri to pay a 600 euro fine. While the 22-year-old's defense team argued that the conviction was a violation of free speech, the judge rejected Ava's argument, exhibited by chants of expression against injustice in Gaza and for peace in the Middle East.

Balzer argued that precedents documented in different courts that describe the slogan as "ambiguous" were incomprehensible, considering the chant a declaration against the "right of the State of Israel to exist". 

Moayeri's case was the first examination of a politically charged expression by German authorities, with many to follow following the Palestinian Resistance's operation on October 7 and the Israeli genocide that rapidly unfolded after. The trials stand to expose Germany's tight restrictions on pro-Palestine protests. 

In this context, Balzer said the chant was particularly problematic and controversial in Germany, which considers support for the Israeli occupation a matter of "Staatsräson", or reason of state, as the nation bears responsibility and guilt for the Holocaust. 

She further added that it was Germany's responsibility to ensure the safety of Jews in the country. 

The trial 

Related News

Australia sees unprecedented pro-Palestine protests across 40 cities

German foundation withdraws award from UK artist over support for BDS

Around 100 protesters chanted “Free, free Palestine” outside the courthouse during the verdict for Moayeri. 20 individuals were allowed in, and many of those who showed up were wearing Palestinian Koufiyyehs in a show of solidarity. After the judge closed the trial, two members of the public shouted against repression.

Moayeri, an activist with no prior criminal record, received a sentence less than the €900 fine sought by prosecutors, who are considering an appeal. Her lawyer, Alexander Gorski, called the verdict a win for "state oppression" and stated plans to challenge it.

The activist co-organized an October 11 protest in Berlin’s Neukölln district, allegedly to condemn school violence after a teacher smacked a pro-Palestinian student protesting. Police claimed the protest featured Palestinian flags and Kouffiyehs, disputing her testimony.

Moayeri’s legal team defended the slogan as part of the Palestine solidarity movement and denied any antisemitism.

Read more: How Austria criminalises 'From the River to the Sea' and 'Intifada'

Germany a 'police state' for Palestine activism

German courts are still examining the interpretation of the slogan, but keep alternating between more and less severe connotations. 

However, previous testimonies showed the German government taking extreme steps to crack down on pro-Palestine sentiment, including detaining activists in their homes in the middle of the night.

Back in April, according to Hebh Jamal from ScheerPost, pro-Palestinian activists Said and Yasemin had German police burst into their homes in the middle of the night, searching their belongings and seizing their electronic devices. 

German police detained a middle-aged woman early this month after she posted "From the river to the sea Palestine will be free" on social media.

Jamal believes that Germany is becoming an extension of the Israeli occupation, utilizing similar propaganda and psychological warfare methods to prevent solidarity with Palestinians.

  • pro-Palestinian protest
  • war on Gaza
  • pro-Palestine protest
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Germany
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS