German intelligence warns watermelon symbol tied to extremist anti-Israel movements

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency warned that the watermelon symbol commonly displayed at pro-Palestinian protests has become associated with extremist anti-Israel and antisemitic movements that deny Israel’s right to exist.

In a new report, Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution explained that the sliced watermelon, whose colors match the Palestinian flag, is increasingly used as a political symbol after restrictions on Palestinian flags in some protests. The agency warned that when the entire map of Israel is depicted in watermelon colors, it serves as a coded message calling for Israel’s elimination.

The report also stated that secular pro-Palestinian extremist groups are increasingly linking Islamist, far-left, and other radical movements through shared hostility toward Israel and Jews.

German intelligence further identified slogans such as “From the river to the sea,” Hamas’s red triangle symbol, and accusations like “Baby killer Israel” as examples of coded antisemitic messaging that can normalize hatred, radicalization, and even violence against Jews