In face of escalating oppression and intimidation by the German imperial state, media and mainstream civil society organisations, we call  for stronger solidarity against the repression of free speech and institutionalised conflation of pro-Palestine resistance with antisemitism in Germany!

As a climate justice collective, we see all struggles from colonised peoples and on occupied lands for liberation and justice as interdependent. The fight against racism, colonialism, extractivism, antisemitism, patriarchy and borders are the same, because all these are oppressive regimes based on the imperial capitalist system. We denounce the systematic use of violence by the German state, including the financing of weapons, wars, and grabbing and resource extraction fueled by its government around the world. We therefore see the struggle for a free Palestine as part and parcel of the fight for climate justice.

• We have been following the systematic use of intimidating actions by the German state, media and mainstream German civil society to silence and erase Palestinian solidarity. These violences perpetrated by German public institutions have escalated since October 7, 2023, shrinking public debate, freedom of movement and justice. We stand in solidarity with individuals and institutions who have been the target of censorship, smear campaigns, funding cuts, loss of job opportunities or migrant rights in that context – and recognize that people of racialised identities and their institutions have experienced the bulk of it.
• This not only exposes the overwhelming complicity of German society and white institutions with the ongoing genocide in Palestine. It also highlights the racist and anti-migrant structures upon which such German institutions build their actions and reactions, while shying away from important discussions, e.g. on addressing the deep-rooted history of European antisemitism and continuous violence towards Jewish communities perpetrated by white Germans and neo-Nazis, and the need for more widespread, decolonial climate justice.
• From Oyoun’s cut of public funding, to comrades’ having their right of stay in Germany threatened, the smear campaign against Elisa Baş by Fridays for Future Germany and the Axel Springer media, to the arrest of students opening up debates at Free University Berlin and the recently overturned mandatory agreement with the IHRA definition on antisemitism for artists to access public funding in Berlin. The cases are many.
• These orchestrated violences have affected the well-being of our comrades and movements, but in no way have they shredded our resistance. In face of increased oppression, we strengthen solidarity ties, increase demonstrations, show up for our comrades, build and renew alliances.
• What is happening with Oyoun, on Berlin’s campuses, and across Germany’s artist and activist communities is the canary in the coal mine. If one cares about freedom of civil society, art, expression and organising, then we should be protesting these violences now!
• We  stand in solidarity with Oyoun Berlin, The student coalition Berlin, Elisa Baş, Palestinians and Allies, and anyone or institution under attack because of their solidarity with Palestine. Today, it is pro-Palestinian voices, tomorrow it will be any criticism to colonial forces if we do not fight back. We keep organizing from within the belly of the capitalist beast, in solidarity with Palestine, and with colonized people on occupied lands everywhere! No climate justice on occupied land!

References:

• German Elites Are Redefining Antisemitism So They Can Be the Victims
• Arts and Culture Alliance Berlin Statement
• Open Letter on Police Brutality Against Students and Silencing of Palestine Solidarity at Freie Universität Berlin
• Amadeu Antonio Stiftung im Dienste der israelischen Rechten
• Lützi bleibt Statement (26.10.23.)
• Solidarität mit Elisa Baş
• Gastivists’ Comic “Peace is Fossil Free”