Anger as 10-year-old boy arrested at Berlin pro-Palestine protest

Social media users in Germany and beyond voiced outrage on Sunday after German police detained a 10-year-old boy during a pro-Palestine protest in Berlin. 

Videos circulating online showed several police officers chasing the young boy, who was carrying a Palestinian flag, as bystanders attempted to shield him.  

Despite the boy's visible fear, officers continued their pursuit, eventually surrounding him and taking him away a police car.  

The incident sparked widespread criticism of the authorities' actions. 

On social media platform X, many people expressed their concern for the well-being of the child.

German journalist and writer Hanno Hauenstein described the incident as "disturbing" and "shameful" on X, while South African activist Andrew Feinstein called the arrest as “tragic and indefensible.” 

"You would hope that a country that has perpetrated two genocides might learn something from its history," Feinstein added. 

 Since the Gaza War broke out in October 2023, the German government has taken a pro-Israel stance, cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests and events 

German authorities have not commented since the video’s release. 

German police have previously attack children at pro-Palestine rallies in the German capital. 

In June, a 7-year-old boy was detained for allegedly striking a police officer's helmet with his flag.  

According to a witness statement shared with The New Arab, the boy's father recounted carrying his son on his shoulders during a march when they were suddenly surrounded by officers.  

During the time of the incident, German police confirmed that six children under the age of 16 were detained. 

In July, German activists raised concerns about escalating police violence against children in an open letter addressed to Berlin's interior minister and the chief of police. 

The letter stated, "Numerous cases prove that the police do not safeguard and ensure the vital protection of minors by forcibly taking children and young people into custody in handcuffs, sometimes without informing their parents."

The activists highlighted a pattern of excessive force and called for urgent action to address the issue. 

 Germany has faced criticism over its continued support for Israel during the war on Gaza, with increasing pressure from human rights groups to suspend arms sales. 

Despite media speculation that arms exports had been recently halted, Germany has denied any such action.