By Muhammad Abubakar
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has expanded its monitoring of pro-Palestinian activism by adding the watermelon symbol to its official list of extremist and antisemitic indicators under specific conditions.
According to an agency report titled “Hidden Messages – Antisemitic Codes and Ciphers,” the watermelon motif is now flagged when used by activists to outline the geographic map of Palestine.
Authorities state that using the fruit’s shape to replace the borders of Israel acts as a “bridge narrative” that effectively denies Israel’s right to exist.
The update was published alongside a re-classification of the slogan “From the river to the sea,” which German security officials view as a call for the elimination of the Jewish state.
The watermelon has historically served as an international symbol of Palestinian solidarity, utilising its red, green, black, and white colours to mirror the Palestinian flag.
Pro-Palestinian networks have criticised the intelligence dossier, arguing that the security agency is conflating peaceful political expression with hate speech to suppress solidarity movements.
Regional authorities, beginning with Bavaria, are expected to use the updated BfV guidelines to increase surveillance and tighten restrictions on public demonstrations.