German Bundestag President Expels MP for Wearing ‘Palestine’ Shirt

The president of the German Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, expelled an MP from The Left party today because she was wearing a shirt with the word ‘Palestine.’ Additionally, a visitor shouting pro-Palestine slogans during a speech by the Foreign Minister was also asked to leave. Speaking to Tzansin Kektürk, a member of parliament from North Rhine-Westphalia, Klöckner requested that she leave the plenary hall due to her attire. She had previously warned the MP, but without success. “I asked the MP to change her shirt. And I didn’t publicize it. Apparently, she refuses. Therefore, I would ask you to leave the chamber. Please,” stated Klöckner, emphasizing that the clear rules of the parliament prohibit shirts with prints or phrases. As the MP left, she expressed her dissatisfaction with a hand gesture directed at colleagues who were applauding. The same MP had appeared on the first day of her term wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh. During the same session, while Foreign Minister Joachim von der Leyen was speaking, a woman in the visitors’ gallery began shouting pro-Palestine slogans. President Klöckner intervened, asking her to leave the room. “You will leave the visitors’ area now. Since you are not authorized to shout here. Discussions take place down here. So please leave now,” said Klöckner, and one of the Bundestag’s guards escorted the resisting woman out as she continued shouting.