Berlin court convicts pro-Palestinian activist for "From the river to the sea" chant
Court rules chant denies Israel’s right to exist.
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A pro-Palestinian activist in Germany has been convicted of a criminal offense for chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” at a rally in Berlin.
The Berlin court reached its verdict on Tuesday, with supporters of the activist calling the case a significant test for free speech in the country.
Ava Moayeri, a 22-year-old German-Iranian, was ordered by Judge Birgit Balzer to pay a fine of 600 euros (£515).
According to the Guardian, the defendant claimed she used the phrase to advocate for “peace and justice” in the Middle East. However, the judge ruled that the chant clearly “denied the right of Israel to exist.”
Court spokesperson Lisa Jani informed the Guardian that this was the first case focused on this specific phrase. She also noted that the guilty verdict is expected to lead to lengthy legal appeals through higher courts.