World · Europe · 19 hrs ago
Palestinian flag briefly replaces German flag outside Reichstag
A man replaced Germany’s unity flag with a Palestinian flag outside the Reichstag, which houses the German parliament in Berlin.
He climbed a pole nearly 30 metres high on Sunday, while two other men helped and filmed the action.
The Palestinian flag flew for about an hour before emergency crews took it down.
The German group Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility and said the action protested Germany’s support for Israel.
Police detained all three men at first, but later released the two who had assisted; the climber remained in custody, according to Dutch public broadcaster NOS.
Police are investigating possible offences involving state symbols and property, as well as other alleged violations.
Berlin’s mayor condemned the flag change, and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner called for stronger protection around the parliament.
The incident has renewed attention to security at the Reichstag, a site closely tied to German unity and democratic history.
A man climbed the flagpole outside Germany’s Reichstag in Berlin on Sunday and replaced the German Flag of Unity with a Palestinian flag.
The flag remained on the pole for about an hour before emergency services removed it.
Police detained the climber and two men who helped him, although reports differ on who remained in custody.
The group Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility and said the action expressed solidarity with Palestinians.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the flag change, saying it showed contempt for democracy.
- Who
- A 22-year-old man climbed the flagpole, with help from two men aged 20 and 32. Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility.
- What
- The German Flag of Unity was taken down and a Palestinian flag was raised in its place.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026, at around 11:30 a.m.
- Where
- Outside the Reichstag building in Berlin, which houses Germany’s parliament.
- Why
- The group said the action expressed solidarity with Palestinians and called for responsibility to stop crimes against humanity.
Peacefully Against Genocide
German officials
Purpose
Peacefully Against Genocide
The group said the flag-raising showed solidarity with Palestinians and opposed what it called genocide.
German officials
Officials condemned the removal of the German flag; Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said it showed contempt for democracy.
Meaning of the act
Peacefully Against Genocide
The group said governments should not remain silent about or support what it called genocide in Palestine.
German officials
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner called for greater protection of parliament and said the flag action was unacceptable.
A 22-year-old man climbed the flagpole outside the Reichstag and raised a Palestinian flag in place of the German Flag of Unity.
The climber came down and emergency services removed the Palestinian flag.
Peacefully Against Genocide claimed responsibility for the action.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner condemned the flag change.
- Location
- Flagpole outside the Reichstag, Berlin
- Flagpole height
- Nearly 30 metres
- German flag
- Flag of Unity, measuring 6 by 10 metres
- Climber
- 22-year-old man
- Other men involved
- Aged 20 and 32
- Group claiming responsibility
- Peacefully Against Genocide
13 sources
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What people are saying
Governments worldwide do not act in the name of the people when they remain silent about, condone, or support the genocide in Palestine.
Anyone who takes down the flag in front of the Reichstag and hoists the Palestinian flag shows contempt for our democracy.
Our German Bundestag needs more protection!
Black, red and gold stand for democracy, freedom and our Basic Law.
Posts on X
German police arrested three people in Berlin today after a man scaled the 30-metre flagpole outside the Reichstag, took down the German "Flag of Unity" and hoisted a Palestinian flag. Two accomplices filmed the climb. All three are suspected of insulting state symbols.