German lawmaker punched by police officer during Gaza protest

BERLIN

Germany's Left Party lawmaker Lea Reisner was punched by a police officer during a pro-Gaza demonstration in Berlin this week, the latest in what critics call a systematic crackdown to silence pro-Palestinian voices.

The assault on the prominent opposition lawmaker took place Tuesday evening at Alexanderplatz square, where over 300 protesters had gathered to condemn Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and show solidarity with Palestinians.

According to witnesses, when police began forcefully intervening and detaining protesters, the Left Party lawmaker attempted to calm the situation by engaging with officers. However, one officer struck her in the face, despite her wearing a clearly visible party vest that identified her among the crowd.

In recent months, Berlin police have consistently used aggressive tactics against pro-Palestinian demonstrations, applying excessive force that has resulted in injuries. Escalating police violence has sparked criticism from both international human rights organizations and the Council of Europe.