German court starts retrial of 3 pro-Palestine activists for criticizing Israeli crimes

A court in Germany has started the retrial of three pro-Palestine human rights activists, known as Humboldt 3, who had spoken out against Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.

The trio – Palestinian activist Majed Abusalama and Israeli activists Ronnie Barkan and Stavit Sinai – are facing trial for their involvement in a June 2017 protest at Humboldt University, in the German capital Berlin, against Israeli Knesset Member (MK) for the Yesh Atid party, Aliza Lavie.

The three activists, known as Humboldt 3, were charged after they interrupted Lavie’s talk in 2017 about the massacre of civilians in Gaza during a speech at the Humboldt University of Berlin.

Lavie had given a speech at the university during which she downplayed Israel’s ongoing occupation of the Palestinian territories (oPt) and its treatment of Palestinians, and expressed her support of Israel’s 2014 war on the already-besieged Gaza Strip. The activists disrupted the talk and challenged Lavie on her opinions, but are now facing charges of trespassing and assault for their actions.

'Humboldt3': BDS Activists Stand Trial in Germany

The trial started in Berlin for three BDS activists, famously known as the Humboldt Three, who protested against an event attended by Israeli parliamentarians.

The trio first stood trial in March last year, with their lawyers saying there is “no clear evidence of criminal activity and that the charges are disproportionate to what actually happened.”

Arguing that putting the three activists on trial would be in breach of their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, the lawyers also said they are “worried that the case could set a precedent by conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism […] with anti-Semitism.”

In a statement released at the same time, the activists hit back at the charges and said, “having criminal allegations leveled against activists is a common and standard practice in Germany,” adding that, “Where, if not in Berlin, should we be able to speak up against such immoral and criminal practices?”

The three pro-Palestine activists went on to say in the statement that, “We are, however, determined to use our relative privilege in order to turn the tables against Israel and take it to court. We do not concern ourselves with the consequences, but rather with the opportunity of challenging Israel along with Germany’s complicity in crimes against humanity.”

Meanwhile, a group of people gathered outside the German Embassy in Paris in June and delivered a statement against the trial.

Paris protest supports Humboldt 3 BDS activists facing prosecution in Berlin

On Friday, 17 June, activists in Paris gathered outside the German embassy in Paris to deliver a statement against the criminal trial

The legal action against the trio is seen in light of Germany’s efforts to crack down on criticism of Israel and anyone affiliated with the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which targets Israel.

In a move welcomed by the Tel Aviv regime last year, the majority of lawmakers in the German parliament, Bundestag, condemned the anti-Israeli movement and voted in favor of a motion that accused the BDS of using anti-Semitic tactics to fulfill its political goals.

Palestine censures anti-BDS vote by German lawmakers

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry criticizes a recent vote by German lawmakers against the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which targets Israel.

The BDS movement was initiated in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian organizations and later turned international, calling for people and groups across the world to cut economic, cultural and academic ties to Tel Aviv.

Israel and its allies in Washington have long railed against the BDS, which is by and large meant to drum up support for an end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

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