German ‘Allah Akhbar’ Protester Cons Frankfurt Police Into Using Megaphone
A demonstrator in Frankfort, Germany, used a police megaphone to shout anti-Israel slogans after duping police.
Police said the demonstrator had agreed to calm down a violent protest Saturday but instead shouted “Child murderer Israel” and “Allahu akbar!” — Arabic for “God is great” — a Frankfurt police spokeswoman told The Associated Press.
“We as police had come up spontaneously with this unusual method and he abused it — we didn’t expect that,” the spokeswoman, Virginie Wegner, told AP.
The crowd of more than 2,000 protesters, who were waving Palestinian flags and calling for a boycott of Israeli products, followed the police car while cheering and repeating the slogans, according to AP.
Dieter Graumann, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, condemned the incident.
“I’m shocked that a German police car was used to spread hatred and agitation,” Graumann said, according to AP. “It was a big mistake that the police let themselves be abused for this.”
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
