--- title: "In Berlin, a man climbs a flagpole at the Reichstag and replaces the German flag with a Palestinian one" description: "In Berlin, a 22-year-old man climbed a 30-meter flagpole near the Reichstag, removed the German flag, and hoisted the Palestinian one. He was detained, while two accomplices were released after checks." date: 2026-11-08T21:00:13.392Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/berlin-reichstag-palestinian-flag-incident tags: [germany, berlin, reichstag, palestine, police, protest] author: "Marina Slivenko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # In Berlin, a man climbs a flagpole at the Reichstag and replaces the German flag with a Palestinian one ![German police officers in helmets and protective gear escorting a handcuffed young man](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/08/berlin-reichstag-palestinian-flag-incident/berlin-reichstag-palestinian-flag-incident-1.webp) ## Key Points - A 22-year-old man climbed a nearly 30-meter flagpole near the Reichstag, removed the German "Flag of Unity", and hoisted the Palestinian flag. - Two accomplices (aged 20 and 32) helped him at the base of the mast; after checks, they were released, while the main suspect remained in custody. - Due to damage to the lifting mechanism, the German flag could not be immediately restored; the Palestinian flag was removed by firefighters. - Police are investigating the case on suspicion of defaming the state and its symbols, property damage, and violating assembly laws. On Sunday, November 8, at the Platz der Republik in Berlin, in the immediate vicinity of the Reichstag building, an incident involving state symbols took place. Around 11:30 a.m., a 22-year-old man used climbing gear to scale a flagpole nearly 30 meters high, which flew the so-called "Flag of Unity" — a symbol of the reunification of East and West Germany. According to the Berlin police, he removed the German banner, threw it to the ground, and raised the Palestinian flag in its place. At the base of the mast were two accomplices, aged 20 and 32, who assisted him and guarded the site of the action. ### Course of the incident and activist behavior The man secured himself at the top of the flagpole using a climbing safety harness and stayed there for about an hour — according to some reports, up to 75 minutes. Throughout this time, eyewitnesses and media reported, he shouted slogans in support of Palestinians, while his assistants, according to several publications, broadcast the events live on social media. Police officers and firefighters with an aerial ladder arrived at the scene. Around 12:30 p.m., the activist descended to the ground on his own and was subsequently taken into custody. According to journalists present at the scene, more than a hundred bystanders watched the action. ### Actions of law enforcement and firefighters The Palestinian flag was removed from the flagpole by the fire service. However, as the police clarified, due to damage to the mast's lifting mechanism, the German flag could not be immediately returned to its place. The two men at the base of the mast were released after their identities were established and they were given an order to leave the area. The 22-year-old suspect, by contrast, remains in custody. ### Legal consequences and investigation Further investigation is being conducted by the state security department of the Criminal Police Office. He is suspected of defaming the state and its symbols, property damage, trespassing, and violating the assembly law. Thus, the participants' actions fall under multiple charges related to both attacks on state symbols and the disruption of public assembly order. ### Context: protest movement and political reaction The incident occurred against the backdrop of rising youth protest activity in Germany. Organizers of the Gen Z regelt movement announced new mass demonstrations for November 20 following nationwide marches. At the same time, conservative politicians sharply condemned the outbreaks of violence and promised to crack down harshly on unrest during rallies in several cities across the country. Replacing the national flag with the Palestinian flag near the Reichstag became one of the most resonant episodes of this wave of protests. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [В Берлине мужчина взобрался на флагшток перед Рейхстагом и вывесил флаг Палестины](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/berlini-cholovik-vidersya-flagshtok-pered-1794169158.html) - Original source: age 22, height ~30 m, two accomplices aged 20 and 32, descent around 12:30, state security investigation. - [В Берлине мужчина взобрался на флагшток перед Рейхстагом и поднял палестинский флаг](https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2026/11/8/7249547/) - Confirms the date of November 8, throwing the flag to the ground, damage to the lifting mechanism, release of two accomplices. - [В Берлине активисты сняли флаг Германии перед Рейхстагом и водрузили вместо него палестинский ...](https://www.newsru.co.il/world/8nov2026/berlin_001.html) - Adds details: TikTok broadcast, ~75 minutes on the mast, slogans, over a hundred observers; citing Der Tagesspiegel and the police. ## FAQ ### What exactly did the man do on the flagpole near the Reichstag? He climbed a nearly 30-meter flagpole, removed the German "Flag of Unity", threw it to the ground, and hoisted the Palestinian flag. ### What happened to the participants after the incident? The 22-year-old man remained in custody, while his two accomplices, aged 20 and 32, were released after identity checks and an order to leave the area. ### Was the German flag put back in place? No, it could not be immediately restored due to damage to the lifting mechanism; the Palestinian flag was removed by firefighters. ### What suspicions are forming the basis of the investigation? Suspicion of defaming the state and its symbols, property damage, trespassing, and violating the assembly law.