Around 50,000 people marched through Berlin to support Palestinians and condemn the Gaza conflict.
Protesters chanted “free, free Palestine” and demanded an immediate end to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Police deployed 1,800 officers to monitor the march from Alexanderplatz to the Victory Column in Tiergarten.
Demonstrators called on Germany to stop selling weapons to Israel and urged the EU to impose sanctions.
Fifty organizations, including Amnesty International and Die Linke, coordinated the rallies, though some protests faced police intervention.
Clashes and Counter-Protests
In Kreuzberg, police broke up a pro-Palestine demonstration after participants shouted anti-Israel slogans.
About 100 people gathered in Berlin to support Israel and oppose antisemitism, reported German broadcaster RBB.
Police reported minor scuffles when the two protest groups encountered each other, though details remain unclear.
Protests Spread Across Europe and Conflict Background
Thousands rallied in Düsseldorf under the slogan “we will not forget Gaza — freedom for Palestine.”
In Geneva, around 6,000 people demonstrated for an end to the Gaza war, Swiss broadcaster SRF reported.
The Gaza war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 civilians.
Hamas kidnapped 251 people, with Israel estimating 20 of 48 hostages remain alive in Gaza.
Israel’s offensive over 23 months has killed more than 65,100 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Germany has historically blocked EU criticism of Israel’s blockade and military campaign but now shows some hesitation.
German officials recently expressed concern over civilian suffering in Gaza, highlighting growing unease with Israel’s renewed offensive.
