Berlin's mayor, Kai Wegner, has denounced plans by pro-Palestinian activist groups to hold a Palestine Conference in the city at the weekend, promising a firm police crackdown on any statements deemed anti-Semitic by authorities.
"It is intolerable that a so-called Palestine Conference is taking place in Berlin," Wegner, a politician from the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), told dpa in a written statement.
Police in Berlin have taken a generally tough stance toward pro-Palestinian protesters since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip, which followed the bloody October 7 attacks on Israel led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Authorities have put strict conditions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, or banned them outright, citing concerns that anti-Israeli statements could cross the line into outright anti-Semitism.
Protesters and critics, however, have accused authorities in Berlin of violating democratic freedoms of speech and assembly with the crackdowns.
"We do not tolerate anti-Semitism, hatred and incitement against Jews in Berlin. That is why the Berlin police will take consistent action if anti-Semitic statements or criminal acts are made at this meeting," Wegner said. "I would like to thank the Berlin police officers for their commitment to ensuring law and order in our city - and protecting and defending our values."
The pro-Palestinian event has been called to begin on Friday and run until Sunday. The organizers said it will take place at an event location in Berlin's southern Tempelhof district.
According to the organizers, the conference will include several key note speakers as well as workshops and panel discussions.
According to the police, they are examining the possibility of imposing restrictions on the gatherings, and are also prepared for spontaneous demonstrations and rallies in connection with the event.
