Man climbs flagpole outside German parliament, replaces national flag with Palestinian flag
Police detain a man over a Palestinian flag at the Reichstag (photo: Getty Images)
A man climbed a 30-meter flagpole outside the Reichstag in Berlin, removed the German flag, and raised a Palestinian flag. Police detained the suspect and his accomplices, Tagesschau reports.
The incident took place at Platz der Republik at around 11:30 a.m. A 22-year-old man climbed a nearly 30-meter flagpole, removed the Flag of Unity and threw it to the ground before raising a Palestinian flag.
Two other men, aged 20 and 32, stood at the base of the flagpole, assisting him and guarding the scene.
The man remained at the top of the flagpole for about an hour, using a climbing safety harness. At around 12:30 p.m., he climbed down on his own and was taken into custody.
Firefighters removed the Palestinian flag, but damage to the hoisting mechanism prevented the German flag from being immediately raised again.
The two supporters were released after their identities were checked and they were ordered to leave the area.
The State Security Division of the Criminal Police Office is investigating suspected defamation of the state and its symbols, property damage, trespassing, and violations of the law on assemblies.
Earlier, organizers of youth protests in Germany from the Gen Z regelt movement announced new mass demonstrations for November 20 following successful nationwide protests.
Meanwhile, representatives of conservative political forces strongly condemned outbreaks of violence and promised harsh punishment for those responsible for unrest during rallies in several German cities.
