Berlin, Germany – Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Berlin on Saturday, demonstrating solidarity wiht Palestinians in Gaza and calling for an end to the Israel–Hamas conflict.Police estimate approximately 50,000 people participated in the demonstration, wich began at Alexanderplatz and proceeded to the Victory Column in the Tiergarten district.
Demonstrators voiced slogans such as “free,free Palestine” and demanded an end to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Protesters also called for a halt to German arms exports to Israel and advocated for European Union sanctions against Israel, according to German news agency dpa. Germany is a major supplier of military hardware to Israel,alongside the US and Italy,but halted exports for use in Gaza in August following outcry over a planned Israeli offensive.
Around 50 organizations and associations, including Amnesty International and the Die Linke party, organized the demonstration.A separate pro-Palestine protest in kreuzberg was dispersed by authorities due to anti-Israel slogans.
A smaller rally, numbering around 100 people, was held in support of Israel and “against all forms of antisemitism,” resulting in isolated scuffles when the two groups converged. It remains unclear whether these scuffles involved protesters or police intervention.
Similar protests occurred in other European cities. Approximately 6,000 people demonstrated in Geneva, switzerland, while several thousand protested in Düsseldorf, Germany, under the slogan ”we will not forget Gaza – freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples.”
The current conflict was triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel reports that 20 of the 48 hostages remaining in Gaza are believed to be alive.
Israel’s subsequent military offensive in Gaza has, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, resulted in over 65,100 fatalities over the past 23 months. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and Hamas fighter casualties.
Germany has historically been a strong supporter of Israel within the EU, resisting collective criticism of Israel’s actions. However, recent statements from german officials, such as Friedrich Merz in August, have indicated growing concern over the civilian suffering in Gaza and skepticism regarding israel’s military strategies.
