Shock in Kiel: Anti-Israel slogans in the state parliament - protest or vandalism?

Shock in Kiel: Anti-Israel slogans in the state parliament - protest or vandalism?

On October 7, 2023, the second anniversary of the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, the walls of the Kiel state parliament were daubed with anti-Israel slogans. Unknown perpetrators sprayed several graffiti during the night, including statements such as “From the River to the Sea” and “Free Gaza”. The total of 15 drawings were probably discovered around midnight while security was carrying out its routine check. This happened in an environment where Israeli flags flew in Schleswig-Holstein to commemorate the victims of the attack.

As Stern reports, this color attack was not only an expression of vandalism, but also a sign of deeper social tensions. State Parliament President Kristina Herbst strongly condemned the graffiti and emphasized that such political messages have their place in democratic dialogue, but not on the walls of a parliament. She announced that the state parliament would review the security concepts and possible protective measures outdoors.

The relevance of remembrance

Remembrance Day commemorates the worst massacre in Israel's history, in which around 1,200 people were killed and numerous others were kidnapped in the Gaza Strip. Even two years after the attack, 47 hostages are still held by Hamas, and at least 25 of them are already dead, according to the Israeli military.

The events were also commented on by other journalists, such as historian Tom Segev. In his statements, he criticized the Gaza war, which he sees as unjustified. This discussion about guilt and responsibility is taken up again and again in the current situation, also in the context of social reactions worldwide.

A Europe-wide problem

The graffiti shed light on increasing anti-Semitic incidents in Europe, which have increased significantly since the Hamas attack. According to bpb, pro-Palestinian demonstrations in various cities are often accompanied by anti-Semitic slogans. Berlin-Neukölln and other cities witnessed public celebrations that erupted after the terrorist attacks, only increasing concerns about the safety of the Jewish population.

According to a survey, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany rose by 80 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year. These alarming statistics make it clear that anti-Semitism remains a virulent problem that is not abating even in the aftermath of the conflict.

The police in Kiel are investigating the graffiti for damage to property and have called in the state security agency. It is still unclear whether the crime was captured by surveillance cameras. Public space is therefore increasingly becoming the scene of political conflicts that go far beyond local dimensions.

Politicians are faced with the challenge of regulating these extreme expressions of opinion in public spaces without endangering freedom of expression. A balancing act that has already been initiated in other European countries, such as France and Great Britain. There are discussions there about the ban on certain pro-Palestinian slogans and the necessary security precautions for Jewish citizens.