A Palestinian-Syrian film director accused Germany of being “partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel” during an awards ceremony at the Berlin International Film Festival, prompting a German minister to walk out of the event.
Abdallah Al-Khatib made the remarks on Saturday night after his documentary, Chronicles From the Siege, won the Berlinale’s Perspectives section for emerging filmmakers. His comments came at the close of a politically charged edition of the festival, where organisers had faced criticism from some actors and directors for not taking a clear stance on the war in Gaza.
Speaking on stage, Al-Khatib said he had been warned to be cautious because he is a refugee living in Germany. “Some people told me, maybe you have to be careful before you say what I want to say now, because you are a refugee in Germany, and there are so many red lines. But I don’t care. I care about my people, about Palestine,” he said.
Wearing a keffiyeh scarf and raising a Palestinian flag at the end of his speech, Al-Khatib addressed the German government directly. “So I will say my final word to the German government. You are partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel. I believe you are intelligent enough to recognise this truth, but you choose to not care,” he said.
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, who was present at the ceremony, walked out of the venue following the remarks, according to witnesses.
The Berlin Film Festival has previously faced controversy over political statements related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. This year’s event again highlighted tensions within Germany over freedom of expression and public debate concerning the war.