Palestinian flag flies for over an hour outside German parliament

A 22-year-old German activist climbed a 30-meter flagpole outside the Reichstag, home of the German parliament, lowered the German flag and replaced it with a Palestinian flag before police arrested him and two associates.

The Palestinian flag flew for more than an hour atop the flagpole outside the Reichstag, home of Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin, after a 22-year-old activist climbed it on Sunday, lowered the German flag and threw it to the ground before raising the Palestinian flag in its place.

German police said the activist began climbing the approximately 30-meter flagpole at 11:15 a.m. He remained at the top, secured with climbing equipment, for about an hour and 15 minutes while chanting in support of Palestine before climbing down by himself at around 12:30 p.m. Police and firefighters removed the Palestinian flag using an aerial ladder.

علم فلسطين فوق السارية أمام الرايخستاغ وسيارات الإطفاء في المكان

“Peacefully against Genocide”

A group calling itself “Peacefully against Genocide” took responsibility for the action, while two people aged 20 and 32 filmed the event and livestreamed it on TikTok. Police arrested all three, and the State Security Division opened an investigation into charges including insulting the state and its symbols and damaging property.

The action drew angry reactions from German political circles. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner called it “contempt for democracy,” while Bundestag President Julia Klöckner demanded greater protection for parliament. The incident comes amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests in Germany and criticism of Berlin’s support for Israel in the Gaza war.

Photos: dpa, Picture Alliance / Anadolu