Hermannplatz in Neukölln has a new name: Who is Hind Rajab?

Hermannplatz in Berlin-Neukölln has a new name: Hind Rajab Square. This isn't an official renaming. The new name was sprayed on the base of Joachim Schmettau's bronze sculpture "Dancing Couple" some time ago. It's in a corner above the posters that were stuck there. Now things are different. The base was redesigned by activists a few days ago. Now the renaming is impossible to miss. "Hind Rajab Square" is written in black cursive on a light yellow background. But who is Hind Rajab?

The name Hind Rajab is well known in the Muslim world. This is confirmed by the man setting up his clothing stall. It's the weekly market on Hermannplatz in Neukölln. He explains that Hind Rajab is a Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli soldiers. He doesn't mention that the Israeli army denies this. Perhaps he doesn't know, perhaps he doesn't believe them. He is Turkish, he says, and he is a Muslim.

Hind Rajab died in the Gaza Strip in January 2024. She was five years old. She was found dead in a car not far from a gas station. The car was riddled with bullets. The aid organization Red Crescent also says the Israeli army killed her. The family members with whom she had fled from Gaza City to the south of the Gaza Strip—her uncle, aunt, and three cousins—were already dead. But she lived for three hours, surrounded by the corpses, and was in contact with Red Crescent workers the whole time, pleading for rescue. This conversation was recorded by the paramedics. It is this audio file that makes Hind Rajab's fate stand out from that of the thousands of children killed in Gaza since October 7.

The two paramedics who finally made their way to her because it had taken so long to get permission from the Israeli army were also killed. Likely by the Israeli army, as a detailed investigation by the Washington Post suggests, just like Hind Rajab and her family. The American journalists analyzed satellite images and spoke with munitions experts. The burned-out ambulance was found just 50 meters from the vehicle in which Hind Rajab died.

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” will be released in January

Since the film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" caused a sensation at the Venice Film Festival in September, more people know the girl's name. And when the film hits German cinemas on January 22nd, even more will. The centerpiece of the film is the original recording of the conversation between Hind Rajab and the Red Cross helpers. You can hear Hind Rajab pleading for help.

Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania made this film. A whole host of big names from Hollywood are supporting her as producers: Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, and Jonathan Glazer. Kaouther Ben Hania said in an interview that after Hind Rajab's death, the Red Crescent published an excerpt of the dialogue with the little girl online. She heard it and felt directly addressed – by that voice.

In Venice, "The Voice of Hind Rajab" was awarded the Jury Prize. The premiere received an incredible 22 minutes of standing ovation. There were tears, but also criticism: the film was manipulative, agitprop, and lacked political context, according to film critics. The fact that the film used the original recording is considered sensationalist by some. Kaouther Ben Hania defends this decision, saying that Hind's mother wanted her daughter's voice to be heard. The director sees the criticism in a broader context: If you allow the voice of Palestinians to be heard, you are accused of exploitation. "That's a way to silence you."

And now Hermannplatz. On another side of the pedestal, also on the same yellow background, is an upside-down red triangle, interpreted by many as a Hamas symbol, by others as a symbol of the Palestinian flag. That's what the Turkish stall owner says. In any case, the redesign of the pedestal is about more than just this one fate. Hind Rajab is making politics: There's a foundation named after her. Its program: "Justice for the Victims of the Genocide in Gaza."

Hermannplatz is considered a crime-ridden area

Hermannplatz, like Hermannstraße, which branches off from it, is named after Hermann the Cheruscan. Two thousand years ago, the Cheruscan prince destroyed three Roman legions. The square is considered one of seven crime-ridden areas in Berlin, as the area around Hermannplatz and in the Donaukiez district is particularly prone to thefts, drug offenses, and assaults, according to police. Officers have special privileges here. Since October 7, 2023, pro-Palestinian rallies have repeatedly taken place here, most recently a celebration commemorating the hostage deal that also led to the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.

Hermannplatz is considered the gateway to Neukölln; ​​the northern part of the district has a predominantly Arab neighborhood. Sonnenallee begins here, which after 2015 was nicknamed Sharia al Arab, or Arab Street. Here you'll find bakeries, supermarkets, snack bars, and barbershops. Many of these shops were opened by Syrian refugees who came to Berlin.

It's no wonder, then, that the Arab community repeatedly takes possession of this space, also through the graffiti on the pedestal of the dancers who used to spin in a circle. One might ask why the pedestal has been redesigned now. Does this mean: We don't forget? Or perhaps it also means: We don't forgive, even if the guns are currently silent?