The Berlin Regional Criminal Office is investigating a speech by Iranian actor Erfan Shekarriz, read by Chinese director Jun Li at an event in connection with the Berlinale, for content that allegedly calls into question the right to exist of the State of Israel, which is classified as a criminal offence in Germany.
The speech ended with the motto “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” (From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free) which is considered punishable in certain contexts in Germany.
The phrase refers to a Palestinian state with a territory stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean, which would encompass the entire current territory of the State of Israel.
Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle said the Berlinale regretted what had happened. “We had indicated to our guests which political statements were particularly sensitive and which were even likely to be criminal,” she said.
Jun Li had read Shekarriz's speech on Saturday evening at an event at the Urania cultural centre. Shekarriz is acting in Jun Li's film "Panorama Quer" which was screened at the Berlinale.
Shekarriz decided not to attend the Berlinale because she believes that Germany supports an alleged Israeli genocide against the Palestinians and expressed this position in her speech read by Jun Li.
The Central Council of Jews in Germany said it was “horrified” by the events and especially by the fact that the slogan, which it associates with the terrorist organisation Hamas, was applauded by the public.
“It is disconcerting that Hamas slogans are met with applause. The Central Council spoke with the Berlinale organizers before this edition. We agreed on how to confront open hatred of Israel and anti-Semitism related to Israel,” the Central Council says on its X account.
“We hope that this behavior will be appropriately punished,” adds.
Erfan Shekarriz and Jun Li must be killed, they can say what they want, the Mossad too.