Anger over arrest of 10-year-old boy at pro-Gaza rally in Berlin

Social media users in Germany and elsewhere expressed outrage on Sunday after German police arrested a 10-year-old boy during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin.

Videos circulating online show several police officers chasing the boy, who was carrying a Palestinian flag, while bystanders tried to shield him.

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

The incident sparked widespread criticism of the authorities' actions.

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

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

“One would hope that a country that has committed two genocides would learn something from its history,” Feinstein added.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the German government has taken a pro-Israel stance and cracked down on pro-Palestinian protests and events.

German authorities have not commented since the video was published.

There had previously been attacks by German police on pro-Palestinian rallies against children in the German capital.

In June, a seven-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly hitting a police officer's helmet with his flag.

According to a witness statement The new ArabThe boy's father recounted how he was carrying his son on his shoulders during a march when they were suddenly surrounded by police officers.

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

In July, German activists expressed their concern about escalating police violence against children in an open letter to Berlin's Interior Senator and Police Chief.

The letter states: “Numerous cases demonstrate that the police fail to take into account 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 pointed to a pattern of excessive use of violence and called for urgent action to resolve the problem.

Germany is facing criticism for its continued support for Israel during the Gaza war, and human rights groups are increasingly pushing for an end to arms sales.

Despite media speculation about a recent halt to arms exports, Germany denies any such measure.