Over 50,000 protesters filled Berlin’s streets on Saturday to support Palestinians in Gaza and demand peace.
Demonstrators chanted “free, free Palestine” and condemned the humanitarian crisis caused by the Israel-Hamas war.
Police reported 1,800 officers monitored the march, which stretched through central Berlin from Alexanderplatz to the Victory Column.
Protesters demanded Germany stop arms sales to Israel and urged the EU to impose sanctions against Tel Aviv.
Germany, a major supplier of weapons to Israel, suspended some exports in August following backlash over Netanyahu’s offensive.
Multiple Groups Join Forces
Around 50 organisations, including Amnesty International and the party Die Linke, mobilised citizens for the Berlin march.
One protest in Kreuzberg faced police intervention after participants shouted anti-Israel slogans.
Meanwhile, a smaller pro-Israel rally of about 100 people gathered to denounce antisemitism and express support for Israel.
Scuffles broke out when both groups encountered each other, though reports did not clarify if clashes involved police.
Elsewhere in Germany, thousands marched in Düsseldorf, carrying banners calling for Gaza’s freedom and global solidarity.
Europe Responds to Gaza Crisis
Protests echoed across Europe, with 6,000 people rallying in Geneva for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Other EU cities also hosted demonstrations in recent weeks, reflecting widespread opposition to ongoing violence.
The Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 civilians and soldiers.
Israel’s military response has killed more than 65,100 people in Gaza, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported.
Germany, a long-time defender of Israel in the EU, recently expressed concern over civilian suffering in Gaza.
German officials urged caution regarding Israel’s renewed offensive, signalling possible shifts in Berlin’s policy approach.
