Palestinian Flag Replaces German Unity Flag Outside Berlin’s Reichstag, Sparking Outrage

A controversy erupted in Germany on Sunday after a 22-year-old man removed the German Unity Flag flying in Berlin’s Platz der Republik, opposite the Reichstag building, and replaced it with a Palestinian flag. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m., on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, and sparked widespread condemnation.

The man used specialized climbing equipment and a safety harness to scale the approximately 30-meter flagpole, assisted by two men aged 20 and 32 who remained at its base. Police officers arriving at the scene cordoned off the area and detained the two accomplices. After approximately an hour, the climber descended on his own, while firefighters used a crane to remove the Palestinian flag.

The climber and one of his accomplices were arrested, while the third individual was released after his identity was verified and was ordered to leave the area. Police are considering preventive detention and have launched an investigation into suspected desecration of national symbols, damage to public property, trespassing, and violations of assembly laws.

The flag that was removed was not one of the flags belonging to the German parliament, but rather the German Unity Memorial Flag, which commemorates Germany’s reunification in 1990 and symbolizes the values of freedom and democracy. More than 100 people gathered at the scene, some of whom applauded the climber and the firefighters.

The Israeli Embassy strongly condemned the incident, stating: “Anyone who raises the Palestinian flag in Berlin while removing the German flag makes it unmistakably clear that they oppose everything the black, red, and gold represents—freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.”

The organization Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility for the protest, accusing Germany of complicity in what it described as “genocide in Gaza” because of its support for Israel and weapons supplies. The group also demanded that the German chancellor be prosecuted.