A German court declares the expression “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” a “terrorist symbol”

BERLIN Nov. 9 (DPA/EP) –

A German court has classified the pro-Palestinian expression “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as a “terrorist symbol” in a verdict immediately applauded by the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar.

The decision comes from a court in the German capital, Berlin, which has found a protester guilty of using this phrase. The court understands that the expression is representative of sympathies towards the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which the European Union classifies as a terrorist organization.

In addition, the court has imposed a fine of 1,300 euros on the 42-year-old defendant, in a verdict that the defense intends to appeal.

The slogan advocates a free Palestine stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, which is the area currently occupied by Israel. The German Police have tried to repress the use of the phrase, which Israel has described as anti-Semitic, understanding that it calls for the elimination of the State of Israel.

However, German courts have followed different interpretations of this situation and the country’s Supreme Court has not yet ruled on this issue.

In any case, the Israeli minister applauded the decision, understanding that “the new anti-Semitism that is based on the denial of the right to exist of the Jewish state must be eradicated.”