Berlin cancels “Palestine in Berlin” festival, freezes funding over red triangle symbol

BERLIN, Jan. 28 (YPA) – Berlin authorities have canceled the “Palestine in Berlin” cultural festival, originally scheduled for January 24–25, 2026, following intervention from the Israeli embassy, which objected to the use of symbols it claimed were “associated with Hamas.”

The decision came after promotional materials for the festival displayed inverted red triangles. Although the red triangle is a traditional element of the Palestinian flag, German security agencies recently classified it as a Hamas symbol, citing its use in combat videos to mark Israeli targets.

Already, Berlin had banned public use of the symbol in late 2024. The Israeli embassy reportedly campaigned against the festival on social media, arguing that public funding for an event displaying such symbols “contradicts the principles of integration.”

In response, Berlin authorities revoked the festival’s permit and put the annual €85,000 funding for the organizing association, Salam e.V., under official review.

Nevertheless, the ban remains in place, which observers interpret as part of a wider campaign by the Berlin government to limit events and symbols associated with the Palestinian cause.

AA