Berlin police have opened a preliminary investigation against Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas over his comments this week that the Zionist occupation had committed “50 holocausts” against Palestinians.

Abbas’ remarks were made during a news conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Police confirmed a report Friday by German daily Bild that Abbas was being investigated for “possible incitement to hatred” after receiving a formal criminal complaint.

Downplaying the Holocaust is a criminal offense in Germany, but the opening of a preliminary inquiry doesn’t automatically entail a full investigation.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry said that Abbas — as a representative of the Palestinian Authority — would enjoy immunity from prosecution because he was visiting the country in an official capacity.

Germany doesn’t recognize Palestine as a “sovereign state”, a position Scholz reaffirmed Tuesday.

Source: Agencies