Germany ‘weaponises immigration law’ to deport Palestinian sympathisers

Four protesters face a ban on re-entering the country even before their cases can be heard in court.

Protesters in Berlin against the Israeli attacks on Gaza. Picture: Adam Berry/Getty Images

Roberta Murray, a 31-year-old Irish national, has lived in Berlin for two and a half years, putting on art exhibitions. Murray has no criminal convictions, and has a basic right to settle and work anywhere in the European Union.

However, along with three other pro-Palestinian activists, from Ireland, Poland and the US, Murray is facing deportation and a two-year ban on re-entering Germany even before a legal appeal can be heard in court. “For us to be threatened with deportation because we don’t think murdering babies is OK is outrageous,” Murray said.

The deportations have become a cause celebre as the German state struggles to reconcile its unstinting support for Israel with the rule of law.

In an effort to atone for the Holocaust, Germany’s leaders have elevated Israel’s security to a political imperative. However, polls suggest that most of the public is uncomfortable with Israel’s actions in Gaza. During pro-Palestinian protests, police have been filmed using water cannon and, in some cases, using violence against women.

A protestor shouts during a protest to commemorate Land Day on March 29, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. Picture: Maryam Majd/Getty Images

Murray and the other activists have been involved in the protests from the start. After a group occupied an office at a Berlin university, all four had their residency permits revoked. They have been ordered to leave or face “coercive government measures”, although none has been found guilty of a crime.

Cooper Longbottom, 27, a US citizen who is studying in Berlin, was also given a two-year ban on entering any of the 29 countries in the Schengen area. The letters revoking their permits were signed by Engelhard Mazanke, director of the local immigration authority, and cited alleged offences investigated by police. These included suggestions of aggravated breaches of the peace, of trying to free other protesters and of insulting a police officer. The investigation has not yet led to any charges.

Although the presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle of German criminal law, it is not technically a requirement in residency rights.

Mazanke accused the activists of supporting Hamas, “if only indirectly”. Longbottom strongly denies any affiliation with the terrorist group. Their lawyers argue that they have been illegally denied due process and that deportation is wildly disproportionate.

Murray said that German immigration law had frequently been weaponised against non-white protesters to shut down criticism of Israel. “We feel this is only such a big story because we’re white, unfortunately. These deportations are happening all the time.”

The Times