EP. XVI: CENSORED II — ISLAMOPHOBIA AT DOCUMENTA

What happens when solidarity with Palestine becomes a criminal act? Why was Palestine Solidarity Duisburg banned by the NRW Ministry of the Interior in May 2024? What does it mean to be accused of “psychological support of terror” and anti-Semitism without clear evidence? In this episode, we speak to a spokesperson from the banned group, who reveals the truth behind the 61-page ban order filled with accusations of terrorism, anti-Semitism, and more. How did police raids, media manipulation, and political motivations play a role in their persecution? Can the state justify silencing political dissent under the guise of security? What do recent court rulings say about the legality of such bans on pro-Palestinian solidarity groups? The episode was recorded in German on September 25, 2024, and then edited and read in English by Usama. Interview transcribed and translated (German-English) by Jazz. **Timestamps for the two versions below. Tune in as we ask these crucial questions and uncover the political dynamics behind the repression of Palestinian activism in Germany. **Timestamps: German original - 4:23 English translation - 01:03:33 Episode producer: Jazz

One year into the Palestinian genocide, we bear witness to its horrors in real time—and Germany, one of the complicit states, plays a critical role. Across the country, a growing number of people are standing in solidarity with Palestinians, confronting a power structure determined to silence dissent. But solidarity is no longer enough. In Berlin, resistance against the authoritarian state has intensified, with protesters facing brutal repression by police forces who are violently targeting Palestinians, Arabs, and people from the Global South. The peaceful demonstrations have been met with police brutality, raids, and escalating violence. The repressive measures being taken by the state are chillingly reminiscent of Germany’s dark past, raising a critical question: Is the country repeating its bloody history? In this episode, we speak with Yasemin, a Berlin-based human rights activist, who shares her harrowing experience of having her home raided, being held at gunpoint, and receiving death threat. Just days after our interview, her home was raided again, and she now faces a social media ban. You can follow her updates on Instagram via her backup account: @yaseminacr_2. Despite enduring police raids and death threats, Yasemin remains unwavering. Far from burnout, she continues to resist with immense strength and determination.

In this powerful episode, Julian Assange makes his first public statement since his release from prison, addressing the legal affairs and human rights committee of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Speaking to lawmakers from 46 European nations, Assange delivers a fiery denunciation of Western imperialism, corporate media complicity, and the erosion of civil liberties. He shares the personal toll of his detention while condemning global elites' efforts to suppress truth and transparency. Assange’s message is a call to arms for activists and truth-seekers, urging resistance against state oppression and the silencing of dissent. Assange Campaign - https://www.action.assangecampaign.org.au/?pc=in1

AFD’s recent victories are the result of a society that hasn’t fully come to terms with its past and continues to overlook large portions of its population. The far-right’s rise will persist until Germany, including its left-wing, addresses the root causes of extremism. Germany’s history of colonial violence, racism, and genocide—from early 20th-century East Africa to the Holocaust—still leaves scars today. The resurgence of far-right movements and support for oppressive regimes like Israel's point to a continuity of these ideologies, revealing a need to dismantle systemic violence. Listen to “Germany: Old Ghosts, New Shadows,” available in multiple languages. **TIMESTAMPS Arabic 02:32 Bangla 08:16 English 15:10 German 20:56   Punjabi 26:11   Turkish 32:35 Urdu 38:46   Collaborations (narration and translation): Jazz, Joseph Puglisi, Karaca, Mahmuda Akhter, and Razi Haider Gilani. Produced by Joseph Puglisi, Saad Shahriar. Music credit: Stop the Palestinian Genocide - aRPA (music played in the beginning of each narration).

It can be hard to imagine life in Gaza outside of the constant terror, the bombings, and the continuous tragedy of the Palestinians. It's hard to even imagine anything about Gaza at all, bombed as we are by constant propaganda and fear mongering. So we sat down with Muath, who lived there for most of his childhood and adult life, and he painted for us a picture of a place where life exists, like everywhere else, with daily tragedy, resistance, and, of course, with humour. The episode was recorded in Arabic, and then translated and read in English by our comrade Ghassan, who also did the art for the episode. **Timestamps for the two versions below. In the first part of the conversation, Muath talks about his own family history and how it ties into the plight of the Palestinian people and the ongoing genocide. In the second part we talk about day to day life in Gaza, its struggles, and some of the misconceptions associated with it, even by people in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Finally, in the third part we discussed resistance and solidarity, and what anyone can do to help, even in the slightest, in the face of the overwhelming tragedy. Timestamps: Arabic original - 4:10 English translation - 20:50 ___________________________ Art and translation by: Ghassan Follow Leneșx Radio (https://linktr.ee/lenesxradio)

STOP GENOCIDE: MADE IN GERMANY  a music track by anonymous artist for unrest radio  full lyrics: Hello Germany Where is your tax money Open your eyes and look around Is your money funding Nazis Your history fooled you you never learned Your racism shows as Arabs burn  Your racism shows when you accuse Jews Calling them anti-Semites is your brain screwed Hating on those who fight for rights Your tax money's gonna bomb Palestine Hating on them coz your guilt is white Your ignorance is killing Palestine  And your silence is creating Frankenstein And your violence is creating Frankenstein Don’t be so cowardly with your Nazi legacy Stop the fucking genocide Stop the fucking genocide I said stop the fucking genocide  Made in Germany

Germany’s repression of artists in solidarity with Palestine has targeted Hamja Ahsan, an award-winning artist, writer and activist, based in London, England, who makes artwork on Halal Fried Chicken. In this podcast, he tells the story of how his dream of curating the prestigious Documenta 15 turned into a protracted nightmare.  The heat around the 2022 Documenta exhibition, which takes place in Kassel, Germany every 5 years, still generates headlines, echoing in the current Berlinale Film Festival fiasco. During the 100 days of the exhibition, and its run up and aftermath, Ahsan and many of the artists faced a barrage of McCarthyism, censorship, vandalism, media smear campaigns, violent threats and racist attacks. An ongoing solidarity campaign with the bullied artist has emerged around the hashtag #HandsOffDocumenta. As part of its war on Artists supporting the BDS campaign, the Axel Springer newspaper BILD made the artist Hamja Ahsan into a national media sensation during the Documenta exhibition. Ahsan was demonised for two facebook comments criticising German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a “Neoliberal fascist pig”; with a following comment criticising the meeting between Scholz and disgraced British prime minister Boris Johson as a “two pigs”. Hamja’s comments were met with a barrage of calls to deport him, disinvite him, “burn” and ban his artwork, and to stop his right to speak in Germany. At the time of recording this, Ahsan faces trial in Germany, for these comments. He is being prosecuted, accused of sedition ("Volksverhetzung"), despite living in England and not being a citizen of Germany. Ahsan faces a 12,000 euro fine or the possibility of months in prison. His trial date is 12th june 2024. We talked to Hamja about the absolute collapse of journalistic integrity in Germany and he reflects how this process has only been on steroids for months as part of the genocidal siege on Gaza, by silencing dissent and persecuting anti-war voices. Ahsan’s instagram account @realdocumenta chronicling this was legally threatened, sensationalised and shut down by current Documenta CEO Andreas Hoffmann. In fact, we covered many other things, from Germany's far-right turn, the AfD surge and the role of neurodiverse people in public institutions that his influential book Shy Radicals covers. Ahsan is currently writing his second book Radical Chicken where his story will continue. To support the solidarity campaign and Ahsan’s legal funds: https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-artist-hamja-ahsan-fund The Documenta 15 artists collective statements on repression and solidarity: https://werefuseweareangry.wordpress.com/  "Documenta Racism Crisis" Earlier in-depth interview with Hamja Ahsan in Left Berlin from 2022: https://www.theleftberlin.com/antisemitism-or-merely-allegiance-to-german-foreign-policy/ Discussion moderated by Ionuț / unrest radio.

In Münster, Germany, while the university canceled a film screening on the topic of Palestine, a few students aimed to organize a concert in response to imperialist repression and to raise humanitarian awareness—a minimal response to genocide. They booked Leo 16, a self-proclaimed left-leaning bar in the city, as the venue. However, mirroring the right, the left stream canceled the event amid ongoing genocide, leading to a humanitarian disaster—a famine. Timeline of booking and cancelation: February 03, 2024 - students requested to book the venue for March 30, 2024 to organize concert. February 07, 2024 - venue collective asked for further information. February 15, 2024 - students clarified in details about the concert. March 04, 2024 - students proposed time to discuss in person with venue collective. March 06 and 08, 2024 - students attempted to communicate, but no response from venue collective. March 21, 2024 - venue collective rejected the event.

'My sister, our land has a throbbing heart, it doesn't cease to beat, and it endures the unendurable. It keeps the secrets of hills and wombs. This land sprouting with spikes and palms is also the land that gives birth to a freedom-fighter. This land, my sister, is a woman.' — Fadwa Tuqan While a genocide happening, the silence of German leaders regarding the plight of women in Palestine signals a failure of moral leadership and contradicts Germany's professed values of justice, equality, and human rights. The silence of white German feminists on the repression of Palestine solidarity activists contrasts sharply with the broader feminist movement's commitment to intersectionality and solidarity.  In this episode six women from diverse communities in Germany shared their experiences and insights on German political repression in Palestine solidarity.

The scene resembled something out of a Hollywood movie, with LWL Museum surrounded by police cars. Who was inside? Let's tune in to hear the inside story. Don't forget to share your opinion with us. Interact with poll on spotify. Further reference: https://youtu.be/4aw343PM6tM