UN rapporteur highlights Europe’s historical lessons amid German crackdown on Gaza protesters
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, has strongly condemned the violent police response to pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Berlin, drawing attention to Europe’s troubling historical lessons.
"I remind my German friends: you produced Nazism, just as we Italians and Spaniards produced fascism. It led Europe to ruin once before," Albanese stated on Friday, following clashes between German police and protesters advocating against Israeli attacks in Gaza and the killing of Palestinian journalists.
Video footage from Thursday showed a German police officer repeatedly striking a protester in the face, leading to her bloody and dazed arrest.
Several other demonstrators were also taken into custody.
"You are responsible for what happens in your country. CHECK YOUR POLICE. Things are spiraling out of control," Albanese tweeted.
As an Italian, as a European, I remind my German friends: you produced Nazism, as we Italians and Spaniards produced fascism. It already brought Europe to ruins once.
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) August 29, 2025
You are responsible for what happens in your country. CHECK YOUR POLICE. Things are spiraling out of control. https://t.co/OHz9g3yWK8
Around 200 supporters of Palestine gathered in the Hackescher Markt district of Berlin to protest against the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, condemn the killing of journalists, and bring attention to the severe food crisis in the besieged territory.
The demonstrators chanted, "Freedom to Palestine."
In her remarks, Albanese underscored the reminders of Germany’s Nazi past and the consequences of unchecked state violence.
During the period of Nazi persecution from 1933 to 1945, approximately 17 million people—20 to 25 percent of total deaths—were killed across Europe.
Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime in Italy resulted in the deaths of between 600,000 to nearly 1 million people between 1922 and 1943.
Today, the Israeli regime has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians since launching its genocidal war against Gaza in October 2023.
Today, the Israeli regime has come under scrutiny for its genocidal war against the people of Gaza, with reports indicating that more than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former war minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Additionally, Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israeli collaborator Yasser Abu Shabab reportedly killed in Gaza
Germany starts deploying Israeli anti-missile system
UN chief decries Israel’s ‘total neglect’ of civilian deaths, destruction in Gaza
IRGC Navy launches ballistic, cruise missile during major drill
China deploys largest naval force Yet amid Japan’s buildup near Taiwan
Netanyahu begs Trump for ‘more’ help for pardon amid corruption case
Yasser Abu Shabab’s destiny is inevitable fate of every traitor: Hamas
Israel conducts violent airstrikes on Lebanon after direct talks
Final SIGAR report finds decades of US corruption, waste in Afghanistan
VIDEO | Iraqi government denies listing Hezbollah, Ansarallah as terrorist group
VIDEO | IRGC hosts SCO anti-terror drill
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
