The controversy centers on last Saturday's awards ceremony, where Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah al-Khatib, who won the best first feature prize for his drama Chronicles From the Siege, told the audience: "My final word to the German government: you are partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel."

Lebanese director Marie-Rose Osta, accepting the Golden Bear for best short film for Someday a Child, also condemned Israeli strikes, saying: "No child should need superpowers to survive a genocide empowered by veto powers and the collapse of international law."

The speeches triggered immediate backlash from German officials. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider walked out of the ceremony, calling al-Khatib's remarks "unacceptable". "Israel's" ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, also condemned the speech, and Christian Social Union parliamentary group leader Alexander Hoffmann accused al-Khatib of "antisemitic slurs and threats against Germany."