In Berlin, a major police operation took place at the Platz der Republik after activists removed the official German flag from in front of the German Bundestag and replaced it with a Palestinian flag. The incident sparked sharp reactions in the political sphere and drew the attention of state security.Course of EventsA 22-year-old man, equipped with professional climbing gear, climbed the 28.5-meter flagpole in front of the Reichstag building—where the official Flag of Unity normally flies. He threw the German national flag to the ground and hoisted a Palestinian flag in its place. The activist remained secured on the flagpole for about an hour while two suspected supporters, aged 20 and 32, filmed the action from the ground.The Berlin fire department and police arrived shortly thereafter. Emergency services removed the Palestinian flag around midday. The climber and his companions were temporarily taken into police custody. According to police reports, all three men involved hold German citizenship.Investigations and BackgroundResponsibility for the action was claimed by the group «Peacefully Against Genocide», which stated in an online release that it intended to show civil society solidarity with the people in Palestine. The incident is therefore directly linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict and associated political protests in Germany.State Security Investigates Multiple OffensesSuspicion of denigrating the state and its symbolsDamaging public propertyViolations of the Berlin Assembly Freedom ActTrespassingThe state security division of the State Criminal Police Office has taken over further investigations. While the main suspect was handed over to state security, the two supporters were issued dispersal orders following police processing and release from custody.Political Reactions“That Palestine extremists do not even halt their crimes in front of the Flag of Unity—the symbol of our German unity—is unbelievable.”— Bundestag President Julia KlöcknerBundestagspräsidentin Julia Klöckner (CDU) demanded markedly improved security for the parliament and its immediate surroundings as a consequence. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) also sharply condemned the act as an “act of absolute disrespect” toward an official national monument of the Federal Republic.