A man replaced the large German flag flying outside the Reichstag building in Berlin with a Palestinian flag on Sunday. This act marks the latest incident in a series of similar protests at prominent European landmarks. The individual climbed a pole that stands more than 28 meters high to swap out the Flag of Unity, a symbol representing Germany's reunification in 1990. The Palestinian flag remained on the mast for approximately one hour before authorities removed it.
German media outlet Bild reported that the man and two accomplices were arrested following the incident. The group Peacefully Against Genocide, a German anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian organization, claimed responsibility for the action. In a statement on Instagram, the group referenced the German government's long-standing support for Israel. They wrote that governments worldwide remain silent or condone the genocide in Palestine, adding that they would continue to make the issue visible through their resistance.
This group is also responsible for an incident from a year ago where activists scaled the Brandenburg Gate. During that event, the protesters displayed a banner reading "Never again genocide. Freedom for Palestine" and waved Palestinian flags. Video footage from that time showed the activists chanting slogans. Police reported that 75 officers were deployed to the scene, and rescue climbers were used to detain the protesters, resulting in six arrests.
Elsewhere in Europe, activists have flown the Palestinian flag from Big Ben in London and alongside an Israeli flag at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets of Amsterdam on Sunday to denounce the ongoing violence in Gaza. Many participants dressed in red, carrying signs with the message "Stop the genocide." Organizers estimated that approximately 200,000 people attended this protest, which was designed to pressure the Dutch government into taking action against Israel.
Steven Eisinger, a 33-year-old robotics engineer originally from the United States, spoke to AFP while wearing a red scarf. He stated that he wanted to show his support for Palestine and his opposition to the genocide, noting that he is Jewish and has family living in Israel. Israel denies the charges of committing genocide in Gaza, attributing the conflict to Hamas fighting from within civilian population centers. The country maintains that it takes measures to avoid harming noncombatants.
A fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025, following two years of war that began with the group's attack on Israel in October 2023. Despite the ceasefire, an acute humanitarian crisis persists in the Gaza Strip. Regular Israeli strikes on Hamas targets continue, and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has intensified. Unlike France and Belgium, the Netherlands has not yet recognized the State of Palestine.
However, at the end of September, the Dutch government banned products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are widely considered illegal under international law. In response, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar revoked the accreditation of Dutch diplomats. The Netherlands has also withdrawn from the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The public broadcaster NPO cited the sensitive issue of Israel's participation as the reason for the withdrawal.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, who attended a similar protest in 2025 while a parliamentary candidate, commented on the current events on Friday. He told reporters that it would now be inappropriate for him to take part in such demonstrations. The recent events in Berlin and Amsterdam highlight the growing visibility of pro-Palestinian activism across the continent.
