Berlin man replaces Flag of Unity with Palestinian flag

The Flag of Unity is a national monument created in 1990 in the shape of the German national flag. It stands on the Platz der Republik in Berlin in front of the west entrance of the Reichstagsgebäude, a few meters from the southern end of the lower staircase. The flag measures six by ten meters and is the largest official flag of the Federal Republic of Germany, anchored to a 28.5-metre metal mast.

In 1990, the flag was first hoisted during celebrations for German reunification. At 23:50, seven young athletes from East and West Germany carried the first example to the Platz der Republik and raised it on a wooden mast. The hoisting was timed to coincide with the official reunification at midnight, accompanying fireworks and the national anthem. Today, the base of the flagpole features a bronze circular inscription reading DEUTSCHE EINHEIT 3. OKTOBER 1990, and it is illuminated at night by four 250-watt spotlights.

While the flag usually flies high, it has been lowered to half-mast on specific occasions, including following the attacks in the USA, the shooting in Erfurt, and the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels. Recently, on November 8, 2026, an unauthorized person climbed the mast, removed the Flag of Unity, and raised a Palestinian flag. The individual was detained and faces charges including the侮辱 of the state and its symbols, trespassing, property damage, and violation of the Berlin assembly freedom law.

Visitors can view the monument from the public square. Nearby, three other shorter flagpoles stand at the northern end of the lower staircase. These poles carry the European flag, the German national flag, and the flag of a foreign parliament president's country during visits.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons