Palestine flag hoisted in front of the Reichstag – “These confused spirits are trampling on our democracy”

After replacing a German flag with a Palestinian flag in front of the Reichstag building, the Union is bringing a ban mile for the Bundestag into play. “In view of the increasingly aggressive forms of protest, the question arises as to whether the current protection is still sufficient,” said Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei (CDU) to the “Rheinische Post”. “In light of these escalations, wouldn’t it be time to think about reintroducing the ban mile?”

The CDU politician added that protests must still be possible within sight of the political addressees. “But the state is allowed to draw clear boundaries where targeted disruptions and intimidation affect the work of parliament and the government.”

Frei described the tearing down of the flag of German unity directly at the Bundestag as a “denigration of our state”. This incident is one of “a large number of incidents in which activists and violent disruptors abuse the valuable right to demonstrate,” said the CDU politician.

On Sunday, a 22-year-old took the German flag down from the mast on Republic Square in front of the Reichstag building and raised a Palestinian flag instead. The man is now being investigated on suspicion of denigrating the state and its symbols, among other things.

The lowered flag of unity is an official national monument commemorating German reunification on October 3, 1990. The 60 square meter, black, red and gold flag flies permanently on a 28.5 meter high mast made of hot-dip galvanized shipbuilding steel and was hoisted for the first time on the night of reunification.

CSU General Secretary Martin Huber also sharply criticized the incident: “This is a disgusting action.” A symbol of freedom and unity had been replaced "with a symbol of division and hatred of Israel. These confused spirits trample on our democracy and denigrate our constitutional state," Huber told the "Rheinische Post". It's not about peace, "but about maximum provocation with dangerous means."

In response to the incident, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) demanded: “Our German Bundestag needs more protection.”

She also told “Bild”: “The fact that Palestine chaotics don’t even stop at the unity flag – the symbol of our German unity – with their crimes is unbelievable.”

According to his own statements, Klöckner does not want to accept “that something like this is even possible in the German Bundestag.” It must be ensured that Parliament “does not degenerate into a backdrop for activism of any kind”. The immediate surroundings of the Reichstag building are also relevant for the protection of Parliament. “The state of Berlin is also in demand here,” said Klöckner.

According to the words of Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), it is clear that “this is a planned action by left-wing chaots.” He also told “Bild” that the incident was an “act of absolute disrespect.”