Around 50,000 demonstrators filled Berlin’s streets on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Protesters demanded an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and condemned the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Crowds chanted slogans like “free, free Palestine” while waving banners and marching through central Berlin.
Police deployed 1,800 officers to monitor the march and maintain order across the city.
Protesters urged Germany to stop arms exports to Israel and pressed the EU to impose sanctions.
Calls for Political and Military Action
Germany remains one of Israel’s top foreign military suppliers, alongside the US and Italy.
In August, Berlin suspended weapons exports for use in Gaza after criticism of Netanyahu’s renewed offensive.
Saturday’s march started from Alexanderplatz and ended at the Victory Column in the Tiergarten district.
Amnesty International, Die Linke, and dozens of groups organized the rally, according to German media reports.
Police disbanded one Kreuzberg protest after participants shouted anti-Israel slogans during the march.
About 100 pro-Israel demonstrators rallied separately, denouncing antisemitism and clashing briefly with rival protesters.
European Cities Join Gaza Protests
Thousands demonstrated in Düsseldorf under the slogan “we will not forget Gaza — freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples.”
In Geneva, 6,000 people demanded an immediate end to the Gaza war, Swiss broadcaster SRF reported.
Other European cities hosted similar protests as anger spread over the ongoing conflict.
The war began after Hamas launched a deadly strike on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Hamas killed nearly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapped 251 during the assault.
Israel’s response has killed over 65,100 in Gaza, according to its Health Ministry, which mixes fighters and civilians.
Germany, a key EU voice, has resisted calls to stop Israel’s blockade and campaign but shows growing scepticism.
Government leaders recently expressed concern for Gaza’s civilians while questioning Israel’s planned renewed offensive.
