The recent wave of pro-Palestine protests in Berlin took a controversial turn when a 22-year-old activist, Ava Moayeri, was convicted of condoning a crime for chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” at a rally. Despite her assertion that the chant was a call for peace in the region rather than support for Hamas, the presiding judge ruled against her, stating that it denied the right of Israel to exist in Germany, a particularly sensitive issue due to the country’s role in the Holocaust.
Moayeri was ordered to pay a €600 fine, sparking outrage among her legal team and supporters of the global Palestine solidarity movement. The slogan has been a central expression of this movement for decades, demanding justice for Palestinians within historic Palestine borders.
The controversy surrounding the chant has led German authorities to declare it forbidden and a criminal offense, leading to crackdowns on pro-Palestine activism. The case highlights the delicate balance Germany faces in supporting Israel while also upholding free speech and addressing historical responsibility.