Trade union accuses: Brandenburg police have become “henchmen” of “Hamas activists”

On Thursday, pro-Palestinian activist Yasemin Acar landed at Berlin Airport (BER) after the so-called Gaza flotilla was stopped by the Israeli army on its way to the Gaza Strip, and the activists were expelled. Upon her arrival, Acar was greeted by fellow activists, which, according to journalists present, led to tumultuous scenes. The German Journalists' Union Berlin-Brandenburg, which is part of Verdi, is now criticizing the Brandenburg State Police, claiming that they allowed themselves to be exploited by Hamas activists.

In a statement, the union wrote that the work of the press representatives present was "massively obstructed." Acar's colleagues belong to the left-wing extremist and Islamist spectrum and have shown sympathy with the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas in the past.

The police failed to protect journalists in this situation, but remained passive or even actively participated "in restricting journalistic activity," the statement continued. Specifically, press representatives were "harassed, threatened, and in some cases prevented from reporting by blocking cameras."

In one case, a journalist from the Bild newspaper was even threatened by a police officer after a demonstrator complained about him. According to the union, the officer then said: "I'm taking you with me – you're sleeping in a cell tonight!"

Jörg Reichel, Managing Director of the German Journalists' Union Berlin-Brandenburg, commented: "The police have become the lackeys of Hamas activists instead of protecting press freedom – a fact that was later celebrated on social media." The Brandenburg State Police have not yet commented on the allegations when contacted.