Officials in Berlin were accused of playing ‘bull**** bingo’ after trying to justify several city police officers for pulling down posters depicting Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Video footage was recorded of at least three uniformed officers wordlessly tearing down posters containing information about some of the approximately 200 civilians brought to Gaza by Hamas from Israel after the deadly Oct. 7 attack.
The posters were pasted on an advertising column, which was believed to be owned and operated by Ilg-Außenwerbung.
The video, shared on social media, comes after police in London and Manchester came under heavy criticism for downing fliers depicting hostages brought to Gaza by Hamas.
Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik defended the officers’ actions, saying the officers “apparently felt compelled to take action” upon seeing the posters.
The officers reportedly removed the posters without anyone asking them to do so, a move that has angered many
A police spokesman told German newspaper Tagesspiegel that the officers’ actions were based on “their own findings.”
The fact that removing the posters hurt feelings “affects me and I deeply regret that,” she added.
It is currently unclear what reasons the police used to justify removing the posters. A police spokesman told German newspaper Tagesspiegel that the officers’ actions were based on “their own findings.”
The spokesperson told the newspaper that there was no complaint that gave rise to the action and that no criminal charges had been filed against the owner of the advertising column.
Berlin’s State Minister for the Interior, Iris Spranger, tried to justify the force’s action by claiming that the posters had been taken down to maintain “security and order” as well as “social peace.”
She later admitted that “the effect of the action” was painful for the hostages’ families, saying she “regretted it with all my heart.”
But officials were heavily criticized for the way police handled the situation.
A spokesman for the police union ‘Independents’, Jörn Badendick, accused Berlin officials of playing ‘bull**** bingo’.
‘A statement that there was an incorrect assessment would be sufficient. In the heated atmosphere surrounding the conflict in the Middle East, someone may have been concerned that someone would feel provoked by the posters,” he said. Tagesspiegel
The ruling mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, said this BIL: ‘The impression created is extremely regrettable. I have no doubt: our city and our police department stand with the victims of terrorism and their families.”
Alexander J. Herrmann, spokesman for the Christian Democratic Union party’s legal policy, said: “Given the numerous illegal posters without legal notice in the city and also given the existing discretion of the officers, I am not convinced by the attempt by the Berlin police to justify this.’
Media figures also attacked Berlin officials, with Die Welt’s political editor Frederik Schindler writing shortly after the video circulated: “This is an absurd prioritization – and a capitulation to those bothered by such posters.”
Social media users were furious with Berlin police.
One person wrote on X: ‘The police are simply too cowardly to show civil courage and independence.’
Another said: ‘This is called selective justice.’
The outcry in Germany comes after British police launched an investigation after an officer in Manchester was seen pulling down posters of Israeli hostages, announcing he “regrets any crime caused.”
Footage showed a police officer, believed to be part of Greater Manchester Police, pulling down posters of Israelis being held hostage after being kidnapped by Hamas.
The video shows the lone officer, believed to be part of Greater Manchester Police, removing a row of posters one by one, apparently ignoring calls from distressed passers-by on Bury Road in Prestwich.
Footage shared online showed the lone officer shooting down fliers of those kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, apparently ignoring the calls of distressed passersby and wondering what they were doing.
A woman is heard shouting: ‘Why are the police taking this down? Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me’ as I walked along Bury Road in Prestwich.
The force has now confirmed that an investigation is underway and will work to ensure posters can continue to be displayed.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry told MailOnline: ‘We know that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing major problems for members of the Jewish community in Greater Manchester and our thoughts remain with them at this time.
“The force has increased engagement with representatives, including the Community Security Trust, to ensure they feel heard and understood by GMP and to ensure their safety in the city and our neighborhoods.
‘We share the concerns raised about the removal of posters in the North Manchester area and can confirm that an investigation is underway.
Residents of the area, which is home to a sizable Jewish community, quickly responded to the video, calling the officers’ actions “disgusting.”
Video widely shared on social media showed two officers standing outside Cullimore Pharmacy in Edgware, while flyers showed the innocent missing citizens on the outside of the building
Anger has erupted in north London after Met Police officers removed posters of kidnapped Israeli children to avoid escalating tensions
“The action taken last night in response to complaints is contrary to guidance that the force had already issued to personnel regarding flyposting. We will continue to work with local authorities and the community to ensure posters can be displayed. We regret any violation.”
It comes a day after two Met Police officers were seen downing kites, revealing those taken from Israel in the barbaric Hamas attack on October 7, outside Cullimore Chemist in Edgware, north London.
Some locals in the area, which is home to a significant Jewish community, have criticized the officers for their “disgusting actions.” But the Met has insisted they were only taking steps to ‘stop the escalating problems’ and to ‘prevent tensions in the community’.
In a statement, the force said the missing posters were put up in “retaliation” for comments about the war between Israel and Hamas – including branding Israel and the IDF as “dirty animals” – posted online by an alleged member of the pharmacy staff. . Police said a printout of the comments was also posted outside the store.
MailOnline has contacted the Berlin police and Ilg-Außenwerbung for comment.