This chapter examines Hanau as part of a pattern: the National Socialist Underground—NSU murders (10 killed, 2000-2007), Halle (2019), Walter Lübcke (2019), and ongoing racist violence. We look at how warnings were ignored, how the emergency exit was locked (Forensic Architecture investigation showed five people could have survived), how emergency calls went unanswered, and how police initially detained Turkish, Kurdish, and Arab people—not looking for a white supremacist. In 2021, it emerged that 20 elite police officers suspended for being right-wing extremists were the ones who responded in Hanau.

When white Germans kill, they're called "mentally ill" or "lone actors." Tabloids like BILD speculated about "gang wars" and "Muslim milieus." White German society responds to being called racist with more outrage than to the racism itself.

The families formed Initiative 19. Februar Hanau. They demand four things: Remembrance, Justice, Clarification, Consequences. Six years later, Germany gave them monuments and nothing else.

This isn't new. The logic that decides who belongs and who is expendable has roots in Germany's genocidal colonialism in Namibia (1904-1908). Until that's confronted—not just commemorated—the pattern continues.

İbrahim Akkuş's death barely made news. Germany has moved on. The conditions that enabled Hanau remain.

unneutral — from unrest radio

research & commentary: saad shahriar

You've heard it. But what does that phrase actually do? And who benefits when we accept it?

This first chapter of Unneutral starts with integration courses in Germany—where migrants learn "German values" like gender equality (while Germany has an 18% pay gap) and punctuality (while trains run 63% on time). Then we trace a line through Namibia, where 1% of the population still owns 70% of the land, 30 years after independence. And we look at right now: Germany increasing arms to Israel tenfold since October 2023, while the death toll of Palestinians reaches 680,000 during the ongoing genocide, while classrooms still teach "never again."

Politics doesn't start in parliament. It starts wherever power touches life.

unneutral — a new series of commentary from unrest radio.

Yet today, it arms genocide, criminalizes Palestinian and Jewish dissent, and disappears humanitarian witnesses.

In this explosive episode:

• We expose the interception of the Madleen—a ship carrying 12 humanitarian workers intercepted in international waters while trying to deliver aid to Gaza. Those aboard include:

Baptiste Andre, Greta Thunberg, Mark van Rennes, Omar Faiad, Pascal Maurieras, Reva Viard, Rima Hassan, Sergio Toribio, Suayb Ordu, Thiago Avila, Yanis Mhamdi, Yasemin Acar.

• We revisit Iris Hefets, a senior Jewish activist with Jewish Voice for Just Peace, brutally detained five times in Berlin and injured for protesting this genocide.

• We confront Germany’s hypocrisy—its “reason of state” now shields bombs, cracks down on protests, and suppresses Palestinian and Jewish voices against genocide.

This is not about antisemitism.

This is not about security.

This is colonialism. Ethnonationalism. Empire.

If you’re silent, you’re complicit.

If you’re “patient,” you’re postponing justice.

This is 1939—for Palestinians.

Listen now.

Resist the genocide.

Narration: Zahid

Produced by: Saad & Zahid

More information(s)

- https://www.juedische-stimme.de/en_US

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Freedom_Flotilla

- https://freedomflotilla.org/

Constant Threats to Palestinians in Germany

“I no longer feel safe in Germany. Our lives hold no value here. As a Palestinian living here, I constantly feel under threat,” said Nadja (a pseudonym), who is from Gaza and has been living in Berlin since 2017.

Nadja applied for German citizenship in April 2023. Despite meeting all the necessary criteria, her application remained stagnant, requiring legal intervention to move forward.

“Everyone who applied for the citizenship after me got it without any issues, but I didn’t get a response from the authority, even after a year. This made me anxious, so I sought the help of a lawyer.”

In Germany, foreign nationals who have resided for more than five years and meet certain criteria—including a clean criminal record, financial stability, language proficiency, and contributions to the state pension system—are eligible for citizenship. Nadja met all these criteria. She possesses a master’s degree and the highest level of German language certification, works a stable job at a charitable organization, and pays rent in Berlin. Yet, her application process was slow.

“With my lawyer’s assistance, we repeatedly requested access to my application records, but the city government ignored our requests. When we filed a second request, it was once again disregarded. Left with no other option, in July 2024, I took legal action against the authorities,” Nadja recounts.

Following her lawsuit, the court compelled the city government to process her application. It was then revealed that her file had remained untouched for nearly 18 months. Only under legal pressure did the authorities resume processing, requiring her to resubmit certain documents. Finally, after enduring unnecessary legal expenses, she was granted German citizenship in early October 2024.

Reflecting on the ordeal, she states, “The authorities never explicitly told me that my Palestinian identity was the reason for the delay. However, even my lawyer was astonished that someone with my qualifications faced such difficulties. I cannot think of any other reason why they were reluctant to grant me citizenship.”

Since October 7, 2023—the day Hamas attacked southern Israel and the war in Gaza began—repression against pro-Palestinian solidarity has intensified in Germany. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were banned until courts deemed the prohibition unconstitutional later in 2023. Individuals expressing solidarity with Palestinians have faced professional and financial repercussions, including job terminations, event cancellations, and denial of access to public spaces. Although Nadja is not politically active regarding Palestinian issues in Germany, her naturalization process had already been obstructed six months before the war even began.

Germany, bearing the historical burden of its role in the Holocaust, has declared Israel’s security a matter of Staatsräson (reason of state). Since October 2023, the German government has provided unwavering political and military support to Israel.

“I feel perpetually threatened in Germany as a woman from Gaza,” Nadja admits.

“I once gave an interview to a German media outlet as a Palestinian. Shortly afterward, someone emailed my workplace, inviting me to discuss Israel, Palestine, and my political views. It was a public email that many colleagues could see, making me feel exposed and unsafe. I perceived it as a trap, an attempt to draw me into trouble. Somehow, they found out where I work, even though my interview had nothing to do with my job. The email explicitly emphasized my Palestinian identity. How do my colleagues now perceive me? I fear losing my job or jeopardizing my organization, which relies on public funding. In Berlin, organizations have been defunded or shut down due to pro-Palestinian affiliations. This is the level of repression we endure—it threatens our very livelihoods. They despise our mere existence.”

Denied Citizenship for Palestinians

Nadja is not alone in facing such hurdles. She recounts the case of an Israeli Arab woman who is politically active in Germany and has also struggled to receive a response to her citizenship application. “She is now consulting with my lawyer,” Nadja adds.

In June 2024, the German government amended its citizenship law, introducing new obstacles for pro-Palestinian individuals seeking naturalization. The revised law mandates applicants to affirm Germany’s special historical responsibility for the crimes of National Socialism, particularly regarding the protection of Jewish life and the rejection of wars of aggression. Additionally, new naturalization test questions were introduced, focusing on Israel and Jewish history. These changes subtly but effectively serve as a political litmus test.

A seemingly innocuous clause now has tangible consequences: Those who deny Israel’s right to exist risk being denied German citizenship. A stark example is the case of a Palestinian refugee from Syria who applied for citizenship in 2021. During an official interview, he stated, “There is no Israel. There are Jews, but Israel is not a country.” As a result, his application was rejected in 2023. He appealed the decision, but in October 2024, the Administrative Court of Regensburg ruled that anyone who denies Israel’s right to exist cannot become a German citizen.

Further cementing this stance, on November 7, 2024, the German Bundestag (parliament) passed a resolution titled “Never Again: Protecting, Preserving, and Strengthening Jewish Life in Germany” (commonly referred to as the Anti-Semitism Resolution). While its stated aim is the protection of Jewish communities, the international human rights organization Amnesty International has warned that this resolution “could restrict freedom of speech, cultural expression, academic freedom, and the right to assembly.” Amnesty further expressed concern that “criticism of Israeli policies may be mischaracterized as anti-Semitism and punished accordingly.” Despite strong opposition from civil society, the resolution was drafted in private and passed without significant debate.

The justification for these measures is that “since October 7, 2023, we have witnessed an unprecedented rise in anti-Semitism linked to hostility against Jews and Israel.” While safeguarding Jewish communities is undoubtedly vital, critics argue that these policies conflate Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli state, a tactic that ironically fuels anti-Semitic narratives. In August 2024, approximately 150 Jewish artists, writers, and academics residing in Germany expressed their “deep concern” over the resolution in an open letter.

A Future of Uncertainty

“The way things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised if they introduce a law allowing them to revoke citizenship from those who criticize Israel,” Nadja speculates. “Can this really be called a democracy? As a Palestinian woman, I do not feel safe in Germany. The far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), is gaining support, and I’m considering relocating to a place where my advocacy for Palestine is more valued.

Anticipating potential criticism, she adds, “Some might tell me to ‘go back to my country,’ but it was they who destroyed my homeland. I live here, I pay taxes—taxes that are now funding weapons for the Israeli military, the very forces destroying my home. I feel deeply conflicted about my German citizenship.”

Nevertheless, Nadja is contemplating legal action against the German state for its role in aiding the destruction of Gaza and the deaths of her relatives.

*written by AK for unrest radio.

In this episode, we speak to a spokesperson from the banned group, who reveals the truth behind the 61-page ban order filled with accusations of terrorism, anti-Semitism, and more. How did police raids, media manipulation, and political motivations play a role in their persecution? Can the state justify silencing political dissent under the guise of security? What do recent court rulings say about the legality of such bans on pro-Palestinian solidarity groups?

The episode was recorded in German on September 25, 2024, and then edited and read in English by Usama. Interview transcribed and translated (German-English) by Jazz.

**Timestamps for the two versions below.

Tune in as we ask these crucial questions and uncover the political dynamics behind the repression of Palestinian activism in Germany.

**Timestamps:

German original - 4:23

English translation - 01:03:33

Episode producer: Jazz

The peaceful demonstrations have been met with police brutality, raids, and escalating violence. The repressive measures being taken by the state are chillingly reminiscent of Germany’s dark past, raising a critical question: Is the country repeating its bloody history?

In this episode, we speak with Yasemin, a Berlin-based human rights activist, who shares her harrowing experience of having her home raided, being held at gunpoint, and receiving death threat. Just days after our interview, her home was raided again, and she now faces a social media ban. You can follow her updates on Instagram via her backup account: @yaseminacr_2.

Despite enduring police raids and death threats, Yasemin remains unwavering. Far from burnout, she continues to resist with immense strength and determination.

Assange Campaign - https://www.action.assangecampaign.org.au/?pc=in1

Germany’s history of colonial violence, racism, and genocide—from early 20th-century East Africa to the Holocaust—still leaves scars today. The resurgence of far-right movements and support for oppressive regimes like Israel's point to a continuity of these ideologies, revealing a need to dismantle systemic violence.

Listen to “Germany: Old Ghosts, New Shadows,” available in multiple languages.

**TIMESTAMPS

• Arabic 02:32

• Bangla 08:16

• English 15:10

• German 20:56  

• Punjabi 26:11  

• Turkish 32:35

• Urdu 38:46  

Collaborations (narration and translation): Jazz, Joseph Puglisi, Karaca, Mahmuda Akhter, and Razi Haider Gilani.

Produced by Joseph Puglisi, Saad Shahriar.

Music credit: Stop the Palestinian Genocide - aRPA (music played in the beginning of each narration).

In European societies, the phrase “go back to your country” is thrown at racial minorities and migrants with alarming regularity. This blatant act of racism echoes the deep, unresolved scars left by colonialism. The irony of these words is staggering: Europeans, who ravaged the Global South—Asia, Africa, and Latin America—through centuries of colonization, continue to demand that the descendants of those who were exploited return to lands deliberately impoverished by colonial greed. Europe’s wealth and infrastructure were built on the backs of enslaved and colonized peoples, and that legacy remains alive, not only in the material wealth they still control but also in the ongoing subjugation of racial minorities within their borders.

The colonial project did not simply evaporate after decolonization. It shifted into more subtle forms, manifesting as neocolonialism and white supremacy. Europe's role in the colonial handover of Palestine to create the state of Israel is one glaring example of how colonialism still wreaks havoc today, leading to settler colonialism, ongoing Palestinian genocide, and massive profits for European and U.S. arms industries. This legacy of exploitation is interconnected with the oppression of migrants in Europe, who are used as tools in a neocolonial economy while being demonized as threats to national culture and identity.

The Colonial Looting That Built Europe

Europe’s wealth is indisputably tied to the exploitation of colonized nations. The British Empire, for example, extracted an estimated $45 trillion from South Asia (especially today’s Bangladesh, India, Pakistan - divided by British partition in 1947) during its rule, a theft that decimated local economies, destroyed industries, and left the region impoverished. Africa suffered similarly, with European powers enslaving millions, extracting resources, and imposing artificial borders that continue to fuel conflict. The infrastructure, industry, and wealth that Europe enjoys today were built with these stolen resources and on the backs of enslaved labor.

Yet, colonialism’s impact is not confined to history books. Its legacy is alive in modern geopolitics, especially in Palestine. The British Empire's 1917 Balfour Declaration, and later, the handover of Palestine in 1948, which led to the creation of Israel, was a colonial act that dispossessed Palestinians and laid the groundwork for 76 years of settler colonialism. Palestinians were, and continue to be, subjected to ethnic cleansing, displacement, and violence in what can only be described as an ongoing genocide.

The Crime of Settler Colonialism in Palestine

The creation of Israel did not occur in isolation—it was the continuation of European colonial attitudes that sought to carve out territories, displace indigenous populations, and maintain control. British colonial policies and the subsequent support of Germany, the U.S., and other Western powers facilitated the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land. Today, Israel continues to carry out settler colonialism, uprooting Palestinians from their homes, bulldozing villages, and expanding illegal settlements, all while enjoying impunity thanks to Western complicity.

This violent colonization fuels the global arms industry, with weapon exports being a key feature of the neocolonial economy. Major arms producers such as the U.S., Germany, and Italy profit immensely from the Israeli occupation. Israel, one of the world’s top arms manufacturers, uses the occupied Palestinian territories as a testing ground for new weaponry and surveillance technology. These tools of repression are then sold to authoritarian regimes worldwide, with European and American companies reaping billions from this bloody trade.

For instance, between 2013 and 2018, Germany authorized arms exports worth over €1.3 billion to Israel. The U.S. alone provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually in military aid, ensuring that the Israeli occupation of Palestine remains well-armed and capable of sustaining its genocidal policies.

The oppression of Palestinians has thus become a profitable venture for Western arms industries, which thrive on the perpetuation of conflict and colonial violence.

Neocolonialism and the New Slavery of the Neoliberal Economy

While Europe profits from global violence, migrants—many from countries destabilized by European policies—are forced to flee to Europe in search of safety and economic opportunities. Yet, upon arrival, they are not treated as refugees from the very chaos European powers helped create but are instead drawn into the neoliberal machine as low-wage laborers. Migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are funneled into jobs in agriculture, domestic work, and construction, which keep Europe’s economy running but leave them economically dependent and socially marginalized.

This system mirrors slavery. Migrants are denied rights, subjected to horrendous working conditions, and paid far below minimum wages. In Italy, for example, African migrants working in agriculture often face near-slavery conditions, working long hours for meager pay under exploitative conditions. Spain’s agricultural sector similarly abuses African migrant laborers, with fields likened to “modern-day plantations.” In Germany, the exploitation of migrants and guest workers has become integral to the country’s neoliberal economic structure. Every year, Germany’s agricultural and slaughterhouse industries exploit tens of thousands of guest workers from Eastern Europe, who are often forced to endure substandard wages and working conditions. This system does not limit itself to traditional labor sectors but also draws in students and temporary migrants, who are funneled into low-wage jobs under exploitative contracts, filling the gaps in Germany’s cheap labor market. The cyclical nature of this exploitation perpetuates a form of modern slavery, where workers are kept in precarious conditions with little hope of social mobility.

Meanwhile, the same European countries that profit from arms sales to Israel, perpetuating the violence in Palestine, also benefit from exploiting these displaced migrants. The hypocrisy is glaring. Europe, which destabilizes regions through its neocolonial policies, turns around and exploits those who flee this instability, feeding its economy on their labor while denying them basic human rights.

The Racist Hypocrisy of Migrant Blame

While migrants contribute to Europe’s economy, they are simultaneously demonized. Media narratives, often driven by state agendas, paint migrants as “threats” to national security and culture. This is not only false but a deliberate manipulation by those in power. Governments, unable or unwilling to address rising economic inequalities, find an easy scapegoat in migrants, who are often among the most vulnerable in society.

This tactic serves a dual purpose: it deflects attention away from the real culprits of economic inequality—corporations and governments—and perpetuates a sense of racial superiority among the native population. The same white supremacy that once justified colonialism now manifests as the demonization of migrants, many of whom are fleeing the legacies of colonial violence in their own countries.

This dynamic is not new. Colonial powers often employed a divide-and-conquer strategy, pitting different ethnic groups against each other to maintain control. Today, this tactic is replayed in Europe as migrants, displaced by global inequalities, are cast as the new "colonizers" in a twisted inversion of history. This allows the ruling elite to maintain control while sowing division among the working class.

Migrants: Victims and Perpetrators in the Neocolonial Psyche

Migrants are trapped in a cruel paradox. They are victims of the very systems of global exploitation that Europe helped create but are cast as perpetrators in the eyes of the native population. The media amplifies fears of cultural erosion, reinforcing a deeply ingrained belief in white European superiority. This narrative, rooted in colonialism, serves to uphold the power structures that benefit from both the exploitation of migrants and the demonization of the Global South.

In this way, the migrants who come to Europe seeking safety and opportunity are unwittingly used to perpetuate the very systems of oppression that forced them to leave their homelands. The neocolonial powers in Europe and the U.S. not only continue to exploit the Global South but also profit from the migration crisis their policies helped create.

Continuing Racism and White Supremacy

The portrayal of migrants as threats is not just a political tactic—it is a continuation of the racism that fueled colonialism. White supremacy remains deeply rooted in European society, shaping laws and policies that marginalize and exploit non-white populations. This belief in European cultural superiority is the driving force behind both historical colonialism and modern neocolonialism.

Racism today is an extension of the same logic used to justify colonizing and exploiting entire continents. While the violence of colonialism is no longer carried out by armies, it persists through immigration laws, policing, and media propaganda. 

Breaking the Cycle

To break this cycle, we must confront the uncomfortable truth that Europe’s wealth and stability are built on the suffering of others. From Palestine to migrant labor in Europe, the systems of exploitation and oppression are deeply interconnected. Western powers, while demonizing migrants and racial minorities, continue to profit from global violence and instability. The struggle for justice must involve dismantling the structures of neocolonialism and white supremacy, both within Europe and globally.

In this process, it is crucial to also acknowledge Europe’s remaining colonial territories. Regions like the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and territories like Gibraltar, the Falklands, and New Caledonia remain under European control, their peoples often living under conditions of inequality and neglect. These modern colonies are further proof of Europe’s continuing reliance on colonial structures. The same system that exploits these territories underpins the exploitation of migrants, the genocide of Palestinians, and the legacies of colonialism in the Global South.

True liberation requires recognizing that all of these forms of exploitation—whether in colonial territories, Palestine, or Europe’s treatment of migrants—are part of the same system. Only by addressing these interconnected issues can we hope to create a world where justice, equality, and human dignity are more than just hollow ideals, but lived realities for all people.

Author: Racial Justice Front for Unrest Radio | The Racial Justice Front is a newly formed collective dedicated to confronting the deep-rooted systems of racism and white supremacy that continue to thrive within Germany’s neoliberal and colonial legacy.

** This video published on African Stream

Text references

1. British colonial exploitation of India: 

   - Hickel, J. (2018). The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and its Solutions. Windmill Books. In this work, Hickel estimates that the British Empire extracted $45 trillion from India during its colonial rule.

   - Tharoor, S. (2017). Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India. Hurst Publishers. Tharoor provides a detailed account of how British colonialism devastated India’s economy and social fabric.

2. Colonialism and the creation of Israel:

   - Khalidi, R. (2020). The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017. Metropolitan Books. This book explains how European colonial powers played a crucial role in the establishment of Israel and the displacement of Palestinians.

   - Pappé, I. (2006). The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. Oneworld Publications. Pappé details the events of the 1948 Nakba and how British policies and European interests facilitated the dispossession of Palestinians.

3. Settler colonialism in Palestine and arms industry profits:

   - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) (2023). "Israeli Settlement Activity." This ongoing documentation of illegal Israeli settlements and their impact on Palestinians highlights the link between arms sales and settler colonialism.

   - Rapaport, A. (2017). "Israel’s Defense Exports and its Role in Global Arms Sales." Haaretz. This article explores how Israel uses the occupied territories as testing grounds for new military technologies, which are then sold to authoritarian regimes worldwide.

4. Neocolonialism and exploitation of migrant labor in Europe:

   - De Genova, N. (2018). "The 'Migrant Crisis' as Racial Crisis: Do Black Lives Matter in Europe?" Ethnic and Racial Studies, 41(10), 1765-1782. This article explores the exploitation of migrants in Europe and how their labor is devalued in neocolonial economic structures.

   - European Network Against Racism (ENAR) (2019). "Racism and Discrimination in the Context of Migration in Europe." ENAR provides detailed documentation of how migrants, particularly those from Africa and the Middle East, face systemic exploitation in Europe.

5. Conditions of migrant workers in European agriculture:

   - Amnesty International (2020). "Exploited and Illegal: The Plight of Migrant Workers in Italy’s Agricultural Sector." This report exposes the exploitation of African migrants working in near-slavery conditions in Italy’s farms.

   - Human Rights Watch (2022). "Spain: Exploitation of Migrant Workers in Agriculture." The report compares Spain’s agricultural fields to modern-day plantations, where African migrant workers are subjected to poor working conditions and exploitation.

6. White supremacy, racism, and the migrant crisis in Europe:

   - Goldberg, D. T. (2006). The Racial State. Wiley-Blackwell. Goldberg examines how modern European states are built on racial ideologies that perpetuate the marginalization and exploitation of racial minorities and migrants.

   - Balibar, E. (2011). We, the People of Europe?: Reflections on Transnational Citizenship. Princeton University Press. Balibar discusses the ideological legacies of colonialism and white supremacy that shape Europe’s treatment of migrants.

7. Europe’s remaining colonial territories:

   - Clegg, P. (2021). "Decolonization in the Caribbean: Challenging European Colonialism in the 21st Century." Third World Quarterly, 42(8), 1742-1759. This article discusses the continued European control over Caribbean territories like Martinique and Guadeloupe.

   - Aldrich, R. (2020). "European Colonialism in the South Pacific: The Case of New Caledonia." The Journal of Pacific History, 55(1), 1-18. Aldrich covers the ongoing colonial presence of European powers in the Pacific, with a focus on New Caledonia.

8. Italy and Spain: Migrants in Agriculture  

   According to reports by The Guardian and The New York Times, African migrants working in Italy and Spain’s agricultural sectors often endure near-slavery conditions. In Italy, migrants working on farms in the southern regions face long hours, dangerous conditions, and are often paid far below minimum wage. Spain’s agricultural sector, particularly in Andalusia, has been criticized for subjecting African laborers to conditions that resemble "modern-day plantations"  .

9. Germany: Exploitation in Agriculture and Slaughterhouses  

   The German slaughterhouse and agricultural industries have been widely criticized for their reliance on migrant labor, particularly from Eastern Europe. These guest workers are often hired under exploitative conditions, working for meager wages and living in overcrowded accommodations. A 2020 report from Deutsche Welle and Politico highlights how Germany's meatpacking industry exploits Eastern European workers, who are subjected to poor working conditions and low wages  . The exploitation extends to students and temporary migrants, who fill gaps in Germany’s labor market under precarious contracts, perpetuating a form of modern slavery .

Germany is often praised for its free press, a supposed pillar of democracy that serves as a watchdog against abuse of power. But when you dig deeper into the structure, operations, and political leanings of the German media, a troubling reality emerges: the press is not as free or impartial as it claims to be. From its deafening silence on the genocide of Palestinians to its criminalization of marginalized communities in Germany, the media has proven itself to be complicit in perpetuating systemic injustice. In this journalistic exposé, we will examine how German media, largely funded by public taxes, serves imperialist agendas, dehumanizes Palestinians, Arabs, and other racial minorities, and employs tokenism in criminalization to uphold systems of control and repression.

Silence on Palestinian Genocide: A Stark Example of Complicity

Let’s start with the most glaring example of German media’s complicity: its near-total silence on the genocide of Palestinians. As Israeli bombs rain down on Gaza, killing children, displacing families, and demolishing entire communities, the German press is either silent or actively distorts the reality on the ground. When the genocide is acknowledged, it’s through the lens of Israeli "self-defense," and the disproportionate suffering of Palestinians is conveniently glossed over. Where are the headlines decrying the humanitarian crisis, the illegal occupation, and the war crimes committed by Israel? Nowhere to be found.

Why this silence? Because of Germany’s historical guilt over the Holocaust, the state has chosen to shield Israel from criticism, no matter the cost to its own moral integrity. The German media, through its complicity in this silence, is effectively endorsing apartheid. By refusing to report the brutal reality of the Israeli occupation, they strip Palestinians of their humanity, painting them as aggressors rather than victims of a colonial settler state.

This silence is not just an absence of words; it is an active choice that serves to protect imperialist interests. Israel, as a key ally of Western powers, is propped up by nations like Germany, which provide financial, political, and moral support. The German press, in turn, plays a crucial role in maintaining this status quo, suppressing voices that challenge the oppressive policies toward Palestinians and Arabs.

Shaping the Social Psyche: The Power of Media in Controlling Public Perception

Beyond its silence, the German media plays a powerful role in shaping the social psyche of the German masses. This influence is not accidental—it’s a product of state-controlled and heavily regulated media structures that manipulate public sentiment through selective reporting, biased narratives, and the omission of inconvenient truths.

When you control the flow of information, you control public opinion. German media, especially publicly funded outlets like ARD, ZDF, and Deutsche Welle, are deeply entwined with state agendas. By carefully crafting narratives that align with the state's imperialist interests, they misinform the masses, constructing a worldview where Germany is seen as a neutral or benevolent actor on the global stage. This façade, however, masks the country’s active complicity in global injustices, such as the ongoing Palestinian genocide.

Through this media control, the German public is shielded from uncomfortable truths. For example, the suffering of Palestinians under Israeli apartheid is rarely, if ever, framed as a human rights crisis. Instead, the conflict is sanitized, and the violence Palestinians face daily is downplayed or dismissed altogether. Meanwhile, stories that challenge the state’s preferred narrative are buried, marginalized, or attacked.

This manipulation of the truth not only misinforms the public but actively shapes their beliefs. Over time, the German masses have been conditioned to view Palestinians, Arabs, and other racial minorities through a lens of suspicion and fear. Instead of empathy, these communities are met with hostility—fueled by media narratives that paint them as violent or extremist. This psychological conditioning is no accident; it is the product of a media machine that has chosen to protect power over truth.

Dehumanization and Criminalization of Marginalized Communities

It’s not just Palestinians who are dehumanized by German media. Arabs, Muslims, and other marginalized groups who dare to stand in solidarity with Palestinians are routinely criminalized. The moment an Arab or Muslim person is involved in any act of violence, the media is quick to frame it as terrorism. Without any thorough investigation, headlines scream "terrorist attack," immediately demonizing entire communities.

But when a white German commits a similar crime—whether it's a mass shooting or a brutal murder—the narrative shifts dramatically. The perpetrator is often framed as psychologically unstable, a lone wolf, or someone who "fell through the cracks." No sweeping generalizations about white Germans or Christians are made, and the conversation quickly turns to mental health rather than systemic issues.

This discrepancy is more than media bias; it’s a deliberate political power play. The German state, through its media, uses these narratives to maintain control over marginalized communities. By labeling Arabs and Muslims as "terrorists" and framing white perpetrators as "mentally ill," they justify the heightened surveillance, policing, and repression of racial minorities. It’s a classic colonial tactic—otherize and criminalize the oppressed while shielding the oppressors from scrutiny.

The recent rise in far-right violence in Germany has further exposed this double standard. White supremacists who openly commit acts of terror are still treated with a degree of sympathy in the media, while Muslims and Arabs remain vilified. When the far-right kills, it’s "extremism" or "hate crime." When an Arab person commits a similar act, it’s immediately labeled "terrorism." This selective criminalization serves to reinforce existing power structures, portraying the white majority as inherently innocent and the racial minority as perpetually guilty.

Tokenism of Criminalization: A Tool of Political Control

This criminalization extends far beyond media headlines. It permeates the entire political and legal system in Germany. The framing of racial minorities as terrorists is not just about fear-mongering; it’s about political control. It provides the state with a convenient excuse to clamp down on dissent, especially from communities that are already marginalized. Arab, Turkish, Kurdish, and other minority communities in Germany are often subject to over-policing, disproportionate incarceration, and discriminatory treatment in the legal system, all justified under the guise of "national security" or "fighting terrorism."

The media’s role in this is crucial. By constantly portraying marginalized communities as threats to public safety, they provide the public justification for these repressive policies. The German state and its media are not merely reporting the news; they are shaping public opinion in a way that allows them to maintain power over these communities.

Dependency on Police Reports: A Welcome Propaganda Tool

German media’s dependency on police reports is another disturbing element of how the press welcomes propaganda from power structures. Instead of conducting independent investigations or holding the police accountable, the media often uncritically republishes police statements as fact. This is particularly dangerous when it comes to racialized violence.

When incidents of police brutality or racial profiling occur, media outlets rely almost exclusively on police narratives, which predictably frame these incidents in a way that absolves the authorities of wrongdoing.

Marginalized communities, particularly Arabs, Muslims, and Black Germans, are criminalized in these reports, with the media acting as a willing accomplice in the state’s propaganda machine. This symbiotic relationship between the press and the police ensures that state violence goes unchallenged, while the voices of the oppressed are silenced.

The Role of Publicly Funded Media: Serving Imperialist Interests

One of the most insidious aspects of German media is that much of it is publicly funded by taxpayer money. ARD, ZDF, and Deutsche Welle, the largest news outlets in Germany, are all funded through public television fees. These organizations are supposed to serve the public interest, offering unbiased reporting and holding power accountable. Instead, they are mouthpieces for imperialist agendas.

Take Deutsche Welle, for example. This state-funded broadcaster claims to offer "objective" reporting, yet its coverage of international events often aligns closely with the foreign policy interests of the German state. When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Deutsche Welle consistently presents a pro-Israel perspective, rarely giving voice to Palestinians or their supporters. This bias isn’t just an editorial choice; it’s a reflection of the broader political alignment of the German state with Western imperial powers.

Publicly funded media should be the voice of the people, yet in Germany, it has become the voice of the elite. It amplifies imperialist narratives while silencing marginalized voices, ensuring that the power dynamics remain unchanged. When migrants and people of color challenge these narratives, they are met with media repression, often being labeled as "anti-Semitic" or "extremist" for criticizing Israeli apartheid or standing in solidarity with Palestine.

The Illusion of a Free Press

So, is there a free press in Germany? The answer is a resounding no. What exists is a media landscape that is deeply complicit in upholding systems of imperialism, dehumanizing marginalized communities, and silencing dissent. The German media, especially its publicly funded outlets, are not serving the people—they are serving the state and its imperial interests.

The German press’s silence on Palestinian genocide and its criminalization of Arabs, Muslims, and other racial minorities is part of a broader strategy to maintain control over marginalized communities while protecting the interests of the powerful. The selective framing of violence, the tokenism of criminalization, and the alignment with imperialist policies all point to one undeniable truth: the German media is not free. It is a tool of repression, serving the interests of those in power at the expense of truth, justice, and human dignity.

Until the media is held accountable for its complicity in these injustices, Germany cannot claim to have a free press. The fight for media freedom is not just about protecting journalists—it’s about  challenging the narratives that dehumanize and criminalize the oppressed while protecting the oppressors. It’s about giving a voice to the voiceless and shining a light on the dark realities that the powerful would prefer to keep hidden.

Germany, a nation steeped in a history of colonial violence and systemic oppression, has repeatedly aligned itself with the forces of injustice, acting as an oppressor rather than a liberator. In the early 20th century, driven by imperial greed and racial supremacy, Germany extended its brutal colonial ambitions into East Africa, where it orchestrated genocidal campaigns against the Herero and Namaqua peoples—crimes that have left indelible scars on the African continent, including in present-day Somalia. This legacy of brutality did not end with colonialism but escalated into the Holocaust, where Nazi Germany systematically exterminated six million Jews, alongside millions of others, in one of the most heinous genocides in human history.

Post-World War II, Germany's so-called "denazification" process was a façade, leaving the structural foundations of racism and supremacy largely intact. The country rebuilt itself with the silent complicity of millions of former Nazis, who were seamlessly reintegrated into society and government, perpetuating the same ideologies of exclusion and domination that had fueled its past atrocities. These ideologies, far from being relegated to the annals of history, have seen a troubling resurgence in recent decades. The rise of far-right movements, bolstered by the mainstreaming of xenophobic and racist rhetoric, has led to a marked increase in racism and white supremacy within German society. This resurgence is not an anomaly but a continuation of the colonial and fascist mindsets that have long plagued the nation.

Today, Germany’s complicity extends beyond its borders, as it continues to support the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. This support is part of a long and troubling history of alliances with oppressive regimes. In the 1930s, Nazi Germany itself engaged in controversial interactions with Zionist leaders, and this early relationship between Zionism and Nazism, often overlooked or sanitized in historical narratives, reveals how deeply intertwined Germany's past and present complicity in global oppression truly are.

The unwavering backing of a state responsible for the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives and communities is a stark reminder that colonialism is not a relic of the past but a living, breathing force in global politics. The German state's stance on Israel, often justified by a selective and self-serving interpretation of historical guilt over the Holocaust, reveals a profound hypocrisy—one that ignores the suffering of Palestinians while reinforcing colonial and apartheid-like policies that mirror the very horrors of its past.

In contemporary Germany, the state has morphed into a police state where racial minorities, particularly those who dare to speak out against injustices, are met with repression and dehumanization. These communities, which include immigrants, refugees, and marginalized ethnic groups, face constant surveillance, violence, and systemic discrimination. The oppressive tactics employed by the state today echo the very same tactics used throughout its colonial and fascist history to maintain power and silence dissent.

The heavy-handed response to dissent against the ongoing Palestinian genocide is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader pattern of silencing marginalized voices and maintaining power structures rooted in historical violence and colonialism. This continuity of oppression—from the genocidal atrocities committed in Africa and Europe to the ongoing support for apartheid in Palestine and the suppression of racial minorities at home—exposes a disturbing consistency in Germany's role as an enforcer of systemic violence and global injustice.

The rise of racism and white supremacy in German society today is not merely a fringe development; it is deeply intertwined with the country’s unresolved issues with its imperial and Nazi past. The failure to fully confront and dismantle the legacies of colonialism and fascism has allowed these ideologies to fester and reemerge, manifesting in new forms of oppression and injustice both within Germany and in its foreign policy. This is not just a failure of memory but a deliberate continuation of the colonial project—a project that seeks to dominate, exploit, and erase those who stand in its way. The struggle against this enduring legacy of violence is not just a fight for the marginalized but a battle for the soul of humanity itself. 

Author: Saad Shahriar for Unrest Radio | First published: September 02, 2024. 1:52AM Berlin time.

The episode was recorded in Arabic, and then translated and read in English by our comrade Ghassan, who also did the art for the episode.

**Timestamps for the two versions below.

In the first part of the conversation, Muath talks about his own family history and how it ties into the plight of the Palestinian people and the ongoing genocide. In the second part we talk about day to day life in Gaza, its struggles, and some of the misconceptions associated with it, even by people in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Finally, in the third part we discussed resistance and solidarity, and what anyone can do to help, even in the slightest, in the face of the overwhelming tragedy.

Timestamps:

Arabic original - 4:10

English translation - 20:50

___________________________

Art and translation by: Ghassan

Follow Leneșx Radio (https://linktr.ee/lenesxradio)

a music track by anonymous artist for unrest radio 

full lyrics:

Hello Germany

Where is your tax money

Open your eyes and look around

Is your money funding Nazis

Your history fooled you

you never learned

Your racism shows as Arabs burn 

Your racism shows when you accuse Jews

Calling them anti-Semites

is your brain screwed

Hating on those who fight for rights

Your tax money's gonna bomb Palestine

Hating on them coz your guilt is white

Your ignorance is killing Palestine 

And your silence is creating Frankenstein

And your violence is creating Frankenstein

Don’t be so cowardly with your Nazi legacy

Stop the fucking genocide

Stop the fucking genocide

I said stop the fucking genocide 

Made in Germany

The heat around the 2022 Documenta exhibition, which takes place in Kassel, Germany every 5 years, still generates headlines, echoing in the current Berlinale Film Festival fiasco. During the 100 days of the exhibition, and its run up and aftermath, Ahsan and many of the artists faced a barrage of McCarthyism, censorship, vandalism, media smear campaigns, violent threats and racist attacks.

An ongoing solidarity campaign with the bullied artist has emerged around the hashtag #HandsOffDocumenta.

As part of its war on Artists supporting the BDS campaign, the Axel Springer newspaper BILD made the artist Hamja Ahsan into a national media sensation during the Documenta exhibition. Ahsan was demonised for two facebook comments criticising German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a “Neoliberal fascist pig”; with a following comment criticising the meeting between Scholz and disgraced British prime minister Boris Johson as a “two pigs”. Hamja’s comments were met with a barrage of calls to deport him, disinvite him, “burn” and ban his artwork, and to stop his right to speak in Germany.

At the time of recording this, Ahsan faces trial in Germany, for these comments. He is being prosecuted, accused of sedition ("Volksverhetzung"), despite living in England and not being a citizen of Germany. Ahsan faces a 12,000 euro fine or the possibility of months in prison. His trial date is 12th june 2024.

We talked to Hamja about the absolute collapse of journalistic integrity in Germany and he reflects how this process has only been on steroids for months as part of the genocidal siege on Gaza, by silencing dissent and persecuting anti-war voices. Ahsan’s instagram account @realdocumenta chronicling this was legally threatened, sensationalised and shut down by current Documenta CEO Andreas Hoffmann.

In fact, we covered many other things, from Germany's far-right turn, the AfD surge and the role of neurodiverse people in public institutions that his influential book Shy Radicals covers.

Ahsan is currently writing his second book Radical Chicken where his story will continue.

To support the solidarity campaign and Ahsan’s legal funds: https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-artist-hamja-ahsan-fund

The Documenta 15 artists collective statements on repression and solidarity: https://werefuseweareangry.wordpress.com/  "Documenta Racism Crisis" Earlier in-depth interview with Hamja Ahsan in Left Berlin from 2022: https://www.theleftberlin.com/antisemitism-or-merely-allegiance-to-german-foreign-policy/

Discussion moderated by Ionuț / unrest radio.

They booked Leo 16, a self-proclaimed left-leaning bar in the city, as the venue. However, mirroring the right, the left stream canceled the event amid ongoing genocide, leading to a humanitarian disaster—a famine.

Timeline of booking and cancelation:

• February 03, 2024 - students requested to book the venue for March 30, 2024 to organize concert.

• February 07, 2024 - venue collective asked for further information.

• February 15, 2024 - students clarified in details about the concert.

• March 04, 2024 - students proposed time to discuss in person with venue collective.

• March 06 and 08, 2024 - students attempted to communicate, but no response from venue collective.

• March 21, 2024 - venue collective rejected the event.

it doesn't cease to beat, and it endures

the unendurable. It keeps the secrets

of hills and wombs. This land sprouting

with spikes and palms is also the land

that gives birth to a freedom-fighter.

This land, my sister, is a woman.' — Fadwa Tuqan

While a genocide happening, the silence of German leaders regarding the plight of women in Palestine signals a failure of moral leadership and contradicts Germany's professed values of justice, equality, and human rights.

The silence of white German feminists on the repression of Palestine solidarity activists contrasts sharply with the broader feminist movement's commitment to intersectionality and solidarity. 

In this episode six women from diverse communities in Germany shared their experiences and insights on German political repression in Palestine solidarity.

Don't forget to share your opinion with us. Interact with poll on spotify.

Further reference:

https://youtu.be/4aw343PM6tM

Since past few months Germany's repression on Palestine solidarity voices are significantly brutal, and now censoring academic freedom is another escalation towards the dark avenue.

In this episode, students and the audiences of the cancelled film shared their concern regarding the censorship of academic freedom in Germany!

Credit:

Holocaust survivor Marione Ingram interview. [Democracy Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU4g0GEqaRY]

References:

• Authority, Authoritarianism, and Education. Bruce Romanish

• Germany's authoritarian interference in the academic freedom in the university of Muenster. Unrest Radio reportage [https://youtu.be/hPaj-wZm8eE]

• Palestine and Nazi Germany. Sara Reguer

• The Role Ex-Nazis Played in Early West Germany by Ralf Beste, Georg Bönisch, Thomas Darnstaedt, Jan Friedmann, Michael Fröhlingsdorf und Klaus Wiegrefe - 06.03.2012, 17.41 Uhr [https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-dictatorship-to-democracy-the-role-ex-nazis-played-in-early-west-germany-a-810207.html]

• The Third Reich and the Palestine Question. Francis R. Nicosia

In the German police state, oppression towards those raising their voices against genocide is brutally silencing. From police custody to house raids and police presence in university seminar rooms leading to the arrest of students, these are horrific signs of fascism. The state is proactively suppressing free speech, sending it to the morgue.

We discussed all these dehumanizing concerns with Adam Broomberg and Shahidul Alam. They outspokenly reflect on their experiences with the current German state.

Discussion moderated by Ionuț, Saad / unrest radio.

About guest speakers:

- Adam Broomberg (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Broomberg)

- Shahidul Alam (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahidul_Alam)

References:

- https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cwph98KuIyb/?igsh=aHFwdzA0ZTR4ZGJ5

- https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0jx3wxoOop/?igsh=MWZ2NmVuZ2N2YWJtcw%3D%3D

- https://www.newarab.com/analysis/how-pro-palestine-jews-are-resisting-germanys-mccarthyism?amp

- https://www.1854.photography/2023/12/biennale-aktuelle-fotografie-cancelled/

Credits:

- Ehsas-e-Jurm (Guilt), song by Multinational Corporations (2012-2017) a political metal band from Lahore, Pakistan.

- Metal (Dark Matter) track by AlexGrohl.

In German society, instead of confronting this horror show, the duality significantly exposed and co-existing within the German left and right. This hypocrisy is strongly visible amongst academia, industries like those who deal with human rights and other social classes.

We received this letter from Usama — a resident living in Münster (NRW) Germany, through the letter he expressed an observational reflection directed at pseudo theoretical intellectuals, the bourgeoisie and students regardless of race or ethnicity in society and who are supporting a genocidal, settler colonial, fascist right wing, apartheid regime...