BERLIN, Germany (AP) — The parliamentary group of DIE LINKE in Berlin-Mitte has called on Governing Mayor Kai Wegner’s Senate to remove the Israeli flag from the Red City Hall. The flag was raised shortly after the Hamas attacks as a symbol of solidarity with Israel and the hostages held in Gaza.
Dispute Erupts Over Israeli Flag at Berlin’s Red City Hall
A political party’s demand to lower the Israeli flag at a prominent Berlin landmark sparks a sharp debate about solidarity and symbolism.
- DIE LINKE’s parliamentary group in Berlin-Mitte requested the removal of the Israeli flag from the Red City Hall.
- The party cited concerns that the flag is a “stressful symbol” for Palestinian Berliners.
- Governing Mayor Kai Wegner rejected the demand, linking it to the party’s stance on antisemitism.
- Wegner stated the flag will remain until all hostages are freed.
- This is not the first time the flag’s presence has been questioned.
The central issue is whether the Israeli flag should continue to fly at the Red City Hall.
The controversy was first reported by a local newspaper, which cited a June application from the left-leaning party. The application urged the district office to work with the Senate to ensure the Israeli flag is removed from public buildings, including the Red City Hall.
The party argued that the flag represents a “stressful symbol of current warfare” for Palestinian Berliners and can act as a “stressful trigger.” They emphasized the need to protect this group from “discrimination, repression and racism” and spoke out against the “general criminalization of Palestine-Ina solidarity protests.”
“If the Left Party sees the Israeli flag as a stressful symbol, it should seriously deal with its disturbing — and no longer unclear — attitude towards antisemitism,” Wegner told the newspaper.
Wegner firmly stated, “The Israeli flag will hang on the Red City Hall until the last hostage is free — and nothing will change.” He also conveyed his sympathy for civilian victims in both Israel and Gaza.
This isn’t the first time Wegner has addressed the flag’s presence. In September of the previous year, he responded to a citizen’s question about it at an event. The questioner had raised allegations of a genocide in Gaza, which Wegner at the time strongly refuted as being directed at Israel.
