Following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and the severe Israeli military response in Gaza, Berlin—home to Europe’s largest Palestinian community—became a center of heightened tension. A recent study in the journal Genealogy by Dr. Carola Tize of University College London examines how Palestinian families in Berlin’s Neukölln neighborhood are coping with increasing restrictions, surveillance, and social exclusion.

Based on over ten years of close community observation, Dr. Tize shows how the aftermath of October 7 deepened already existing fears and insecurities among Palestinian families. Her work reveals how the often violent government crackdowns on pro Palestinian public protests created a climate of increased fear and silence. “Germany’s ban on pro-Palestinian displays and messages further isolated Berlin’s large Palestinian and Arab communities and increasingly silenced their already insecure, marginalized network of families,” Dr. Tize explained.

Palestinian Families in Neukölln have dealt with many legal restrictions and challenges– first in Lebanon and later in Germany– and these cumulative effects of insecurity have passed down through generations. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a legal gap allowed asylum seekers—people fleeing conflict or persecution from the Lebanese civil war and the dismal conditions of the Palestinian refugee camps– to settle in the city. Today, despite living in Germany for decades, many of the parents still face uncertain residency, frequent deportation threats, and limits on work, travel, and education.

Soon after the 2023 conflict began, protests in support of Palestinians were met with heavy police presence, particularly in Neukölln. This crackdown sent a strong message: expressions of Palestinian solidarity would not be tolerated. “They’re not giving us a place to grieve. Why can’t we wear Palestinian flags?… They [the Germans] have really taken our freedom from us,” said Nadia, a 24-year-old participant.

Media coverage and political rhetoric further increased the pressure. A widely shared Instagram post from a small, unfamiliar group appeared to praise the Hamas attacks and caused outrage. Even though most local Palestinians had never heard of the group, the entire community was linked to its message. Calls for fast-track deportations—speeding up the process of removing foreign nationals from the country—followed, and many Palestinians felt falsely accused of supporting violence.

Months after the Hamas attacks and the escalation of the conflict, everyday life within Palestinian homes reflected this tense climate, and how different generations and their variable exposures to insecurity and marginalization create solidarity, but also differential approaches. Parents who had lived through years of uncertainty encouraged their children to avoid discussing their views at school or in public to keep the family safe. Some teachers reinforced this silence with strict rules on how and what could be discussed, but many young people still felt the need to speak. Sixteen-year-old Farah shared, “Sometimes I do it anyway. My classmates then say, ‘You can’t say that here!’ even though I know they all agree.” Her brother chimed in, “Yeah! But you did get in trouble for it every time!”

These family tensions also surfaced in how people dealt with news from Gaza. One mother, Aisha, insisted on keeping the television on constantly, showing scenes of the destruction. While Aisha had shared all suffering with her children as they came of age,  her daughter Bayan– having carried the heavy burdens of her parents as a child– preferred to shield her young children from such footage and her family’s suffering. This difference showed how parents and children often take separate approaches to coping with grief and maintaining cultural ties.

Dr. Tize notes that these generational shifts don’t mean younger Palestinians are losing their identity– quite the opposite. Instead, families are finding new ways to stay strong in difficult times. “The current climate in Germany, characterized by moral panic—a wave of fear about an issue seen as threatening societal norms—and stringent censorship, has led to increased polarization and a collective sense of being unwanted,” she said. “While silencing is a strategy that may protect families from external threats, the emotional tension that has built up—due to the lack of proper outlets to discuss and create alternative perspectives—also damages the ability to create positive future perspectives, especially for Palestinians coming of age”.

Dr. Tize’s study emphasized that teachers and schools could be key in helping young people explore their identities in a safe setting. But when political pressures stop open conversation, these places risk becoming sites of exclusion rather than support.

Journal Reference

Carola Tize, “Silenced: Palestinian Families in Berlin Navigating Increased Censorship and Surveillance.” Genealogy, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy9020049