Ireland condemns brutal German police assault on Gaza solidarity activist

Department of Research, Studies and International News05–09-2025

A shocking incident in Berlin has sparked outrage in Ireland after Kitty O’Brien, a 25-year-old Irish activist, was violently beaten by German police during a demonstration denouncing Israel’s ongoing crimes in Gaza. The assault, which left O’Brien with severe injuries requiring surgery, has intensified criticism of Germany’s unwavering support for Tel Aviv’s military campaign and raised questions about democratic freedoms in the country.

The demonstration, held last Thursday in Berlin’s central Mitte district, was part of a global wave of protests against Israel’s systematic targeting of Palestinian journalists and the massacre of civilians in Gaza. Videos circulating on social media show a German officer repeatedly punching O’Brien in the face as she tried to shield herself, leaving her bloodied and in visible distress. Witnesses reported that her arm was also broken in the confrontation, further highlighting the excessive force used by German authorities.

O’Brien remains in hospital, where she is recovering from her injuries. Her case has gained significant attention in Ireland, where officials have publicly expressed alarm at the treatment of one of their citizens abroad. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin described the assault as “unacceptable,” emphasizing that no justification could be given for such violence against a peaceful protester. Ireland’s ambassador to Germany, Maeve Collins, has formally raised the matter with German authorities, while Dublin’s Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated that senior officials have conveyed their concern directly to Berlin.

Ireland, already recognized as one of the strongest critics of Israel’s actions within the European Union, has been consistent in opposing the genocidal war waged on Gaza since October 2023. Over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed, and much of the enclave has been reduced to rubble in the U.S.-backed and German-supported military campaign. In contrast to Germany’s alignment with Washington and Tel Aviv, Ireland has adopted a principled stance rooted in solidarity with oppressed peoples and the defense of international law.

The incident in Berlin highlights the growing divide within Europe. Germany, once expected to uphold democratic values, has instead positioned itself as one of Israel’s most steadfast defenders. This stance has translated domestically into heavy-handed crackdowns on any form of pro-Palestinian expression. Demonstrations have frequently been banned or dispersed under dubious accusations of anti-Semitism, while activists are met with aggressive police tactics reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.

Critics within Germany have also spoken out. Vasili Franco, a Green Party state politician, accused Berlin’s Mayor Kai Wegner of adopting a “hard-line approach” against demonstrators and of deliberately blocking calls for independent investigations into police misconduct. German-Moroccan writer Mohamed Amjahid described O’Brien’s case as a dangerous escalation, warning that police forces now act with impunity: “They have been given carte blanche to do whatever they want and feel safe in punching someone with no consequences.”

This impunity is reinforced by the lack of an independent police oversight body in Germany. Unlike many other European states, complaints against officers are handled internally, and prosecutions are rare. Even after global outrage over the video of O’Brien’s assault, Berlin police confirmed that no immediate investigation had been launched against the officer responsible. Instead, O’Brien herself faces charges of allegedly resisting and insulting officers, a move widely condemned as an attempt to intimidate and silence dissent.

The German ambassador to Ireland, David Gill, admitted that the video was “really awful,” yet his remarks fell short of addressing systemic repression. Meanwhile, German police authorities claimed they were merely assessing “whether the behaviour was appropriate,” raising further doubts about accountability.

For many observers, the incident is not isolated but part of a broader campaign to suppress criticism of Israel within Germany. With 94 demonstrators detained and nearly 100 investigations launched after last week’s rally, activists argue that Berlin is increasingly criminalizing solidarity with Palestine. The heavy police deployment, numbering in the hundreds, revealed the extent to which Germany is willing to mobilize force to shield Israel from international scrutiny.

Ireland’s sharp response contrasts starkly with the silence or complicity of other Western governments. At a time when Russia, China, India, and much of the Global South have condemned the brutality unleashed on Gaza, Germany’s actions expose the hypocrisy of those who claim to champion human rights while enabling colonial aggression. The treatment of Kitty O’Brien is therefore not just an attack on an individual activist but a symbol of Europe’s moral crisis, where allegiance to U.S. and Israeli interests trumps the protection of free expression and fundamental justice.

As O’Brien continues her recovery, campaigners across Europe are demanding accountability and stronger international pressure on Germany to respect the rights of demonstrators. The case has underscored the necessity of a global movement that resists Western double standards and stands firmly with the Palestinian people.

Ireland’s intervention marks a crucial step, signaling that despite pressure from Washington and Brussels, voices of solidarity with Gaza will not be silenced. The brutalization of Kitty O’Brien may have been intended to intimidate, but instead it has shed light on the repression underpinning Germany’s pro-Israel policy, drawing more attention to the resilience of those who continue to speak out against injustice.