A protest camp in Berlin's government district voicing support for Palestinians and demanding an end to German shipments of weapons to the Israeli military has been banned by German police.
About 150 police officers appeared at the 20 or so tents near the Chancellery in Berlin on Friday morning and demanded that the 20 or so people staying in the camp leave, a police spokesman said.
Police carried protesters away one by one as they huddled together and refused to leave the encampment, while other officers tore down the tents, a police spokeswoman told dpa.
A loud demonstration formed against the police action with more than 100 participants, and police had not yet managed to evict the protesters from the area by early afternoon on Friday.
The protest camp pitched its tents at the site more than two weeks ago. Berlin police had previously handed the camp's management a prohibition order.
Police said efforts to clear the camp began peacefully.
Berlin police justified the decision to ban the camp by contending that camp participants had repeatedly committed criminal offences, including incitement to hatred, and that there had also been acts of violence by residents against police officers.
In addition, certain restrictions had not been adhered to, such as the protection of the green area and certain buildings.
Supporters of the camp have appealed for support online.
