Welcome to Berlin, during the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict. My neighbourhood, Neukölln, is home to many people of Arab descent, including children of Palestinian refugees. And some of my neighbours were clearly angry about what they saw as Europe's unconditional support for the ongoing Israeli bombing of Gaza.
Another demonstration elsewhere in Berlin the same night had been very different: maybe 300 people, all tip-toeing carefully around Germany's increasingly diffuse definition of anti Semitism to voice their discontent. For example, they avoided the slogan - "Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea" - because it implies denial of the State of Israel's right to exist.
The demonstrators were peaceful but the police were not. "Why are you pushing me?" one middle-aged German woman cried out, eyes brimming. Another young woman, shoved heftily from behind by an officer, tripped and fell. Despite brandishing my press pass like a small, ineffective plastic shield, I got a whack, too.
Denne historien er fra November 04-10 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra November 04-10 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
