Here’s a summary of the provided text:
Key Points:
Irish Activist Assaulted: Kitty O’Brien, an Irish activist based in Berlin, was seriously injured – punched in the face twice by a police officer – during a pro-Palestinian demonstration. She is currently hospitalized and required surgery.
Growing Concern & Calls for Action: The incident has sparked concern from the Irish government (Taoiseach Micheál Martin called the assault “unacceptable”) and prompted German opposition politicians and campaigners to urge Ireland to pressure Berlin’s government.
Pattern of Policing: The attack is not seen as isolated. Politicians and activists in Berlin believe it reflects a hard-line policing approach towards demonstrators, fully supported by Berlin’s city-state government (Governing Mayor Kai wegener). There’s a history of the government refusing investigations into similar incidents.
Escalation Since October 7th: The situation is described as a “new escalation” in police-demonstrator clashes following the Hamas attack on Israel, potentially revealing deeper, systemic issues within the German police force.* German Ambassador’s Response: The German ambassador to Ireland, David Gill, acknowledged the video of the assault was “really awful.”
In essence, the article details a concerning incident of police brutality against an Irish activist in Berlin, and the resulting political and activist response, highlighting a broader issue of policing practices in Germany related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
