Despite the German state’s slavish support for Israel and its brutal repression of anti-genocide protest, the pro-Palestine movement has scored a major legal victory.

The Zweibrücken Higher Regional Court has ruled that comparing Israel with the Nazis is legal.

German law bans the display of swastikas and other Nazi-linked symbols. However, the court ruled that they can legally be used:

If someone uses the signs for sharp criticism of the methods of the State of Israel and is thus accompanied by a clear distancing or condemnation of Nazi injustice.

German rulemakers overturn activist’s fine

The court was hearing an appeal brought by an anti-genocide activist who had been fined for publishing a table comparing the actions of Israel in Gaza with those of Nazi Germany. The header of the table showed a half Israeli flag and half swastika. Another post showed a combined Israeli and Nazi flag with hashtags #FreePalestine and #GazaUnderAttack.

The appeal court overturned the fine and warned judges not to apply the symbol law in a way that suppresses freedom of speech.

Germany describes support for Israel as its ‘Staatsräson‘, the reason for the existence of the German state. It requires citizenship applicants to formally declare support for the apartheid colony.

Featured image via Katerina Bolovtsova/ Pexels

By Skwawkbox

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