Status: 13.10.2023, 19:46 PM
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A woman holding a sign that reads "Free Palestine" argues with a police officer. © Boris Roessler/dpa
The war in Israel is making waves as far away as Hesse. Frankfurt has banned the "A Free Palestine" rally. But one court sees it differently. Meanwhile, there has also been a provisional arrest.
Frankfurt/Main - The anti-Israel rally banned by the city of Frankfurt for Saturday (14 October) can take place after all. The ban is unlawful, the Administrative Court of Frankfurt announced on Friday evening. Thus, the applicant for the pro-Palestinian gathering on Opera Square was successful in her application for interim relief.
The city had banned the "A Free Palestine" demonstration this Saturday. The Hessian Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior had demanded consistent action and the harshness of the rule of law for crimes in connection with the terrorist attacks. "We must not allow Germany to become a place for disgusting agitation by Hamas or other terrorist groups," said Justice Minister Roman Poseck and Interior Minister Peter Beuth (both CDU).
According to the Administrative Court, however, a ban on demonstrations is only possible if there is a recognisable imminent threat to public safety. Suspicions were not enough. A ban can only be a last resort against less drastic measures, such as certain restrictions on assembly. Nor could "the reference to the high emotionality and burden on society caused by the Middle East conflict" lead to a different legal assessment. The decision can be appealed to the Hessian Administrative Court in Kassel.
Separately, the police also provisionally arrested the organizer of the demonstration on Friday. In a press statement, which was also streamed live, she denied and played down the massacres of Hamas last weekend, said a police spokesman. It is also being investigated whether the statements made by the organiser and another person constitute incitement to hatred. On Friday evening, another police spokesman added that there would be "sufficient forces throughout the city" at Saturday's rally. Dpa