PLO flag raised at entrance to German parliament in Berlin

In depth

Pro-Palestinian activists climbed the flagpole in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin and took down the German flag. In its place the flag of Palestine was raised, flying for more than an hour. In questioning, the climber said he acted out of "solidarity with Palestine." The incident took place on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Police and fire crews took down the flag of Palestine. The 22-year-old climbed the pole with the assistance of two other men and came down about an hour later. Footage published shows firefighters working to remove the flag. Three suspects were arrested, and the third was released after being identified.

An investigation was opened on suspicion of disparaging the state and its symbols and of damaging symbols of authority. The Israeli Embassy in Berlin condemned the act, writing that the Palestinian flag is not raised as a symbol for Palestinians but as a symbol of hatred of Israel. The incident was also exposed in a live broadcast on TikTok to passersby.