A target, a sign of resistance, a badge of honor, a Nazi-era symbol — the inverted red triangle means many things to many people.

The upside-down triangle appeared in videos released by the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, to mark potential Israeli military targets, such as tanks, shortly after the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

The European Union as well as the United States, Germany and several other countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. Following the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023, the German interior minister outlawed all activities of the group in Germany.

In Berlin, the triangle has been sprayed on several venues, including a techno club and a bar at which events had been held opposing antisemitism or expressing solidarity with Israel after the October 7 attacks. City police are unable to put any number on how often the symbol has been used like this.

A red triangle — though not inverted — also appears, however, in the Palestinian flag, which derives from a 1916 pan-nationalist design. When demonstrators drape the flag around their shoulders or if it is hung vertically from windows, it appears downwards-facing.

The triangle has been seen in various contexts at pro-Palestinian campus protests across the globe, including in the German capital. In addition, the symbol has appeared in social media posts and in anti-war demonstrations.

In early July, Berlin's state assembly passed an emergency motion that sought to extend the German government's Hamas ban to explicitly include the red triangle. Using the symbols of anti-constitutional or terrorist organizations comes with a jail sentence of up to three years.

The motion put forward by Berlin's ruling parties, the center-right Christian........

© Deutsche Welle