Over the weekend, Germany witnessed a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in various cities, similar to gatherings happening globally in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. These demonstrators were calling for an end to the ongoing violence in Gaza, particularly in response to Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which have resulted in the loss of more than 4,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry.
It’s important to note that Hamas had initiated terror attacks on Israel back on October 7, during which over 1,400 Israeli civilians were killed, and approximately 200 individuals were taken hostage by the militant group. It’s worth mentioning that Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Germany, and Israel.
As part of its efforts to dismantle Hamas, the Israeli government has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza. Unfortunately, this blockade has led to a humanitarian crisis among the 2.2 million residents of Gaza, exacerbating the already challenging living conditions.
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place in several German cities, including Cologne, Frankfurt, Hanover, Karlsruhe, Münster, and Stuttgart. The largest of these demonstrations occurred in Düsseldorf, where an estimated 7,000 people marched under the banner of “For peace, justice, and human dignity in Palestine.” While police reported that more people attended these events than organizers had initially estimated, they remained mostly peaceful, with a notable police presence ensuring security.
In Münster, approximately 1,000 people participated in a pro-Palestinian march, while another 700 gathered for an “action alliance against all antisemitism.” Fortunately, there were no clashes between these groups, although two leaders of the pro-Palestinian march were briefly detained for using illegal chants but were released after the event.
In Berlin, a march scheduled for Sunday was canceled due to concerns of incitement, antisemitic slogans, violence, or the glorification thereof. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stressed the importance of respecting the right to demonstrate but emphasized that there is no tolerance for antisemitic or anti-Israel agitation and violence. Consequently, Berlin authorities have announced a ban on substitute events until at least October 30. Despite these bans, some pro-Palestinian demonstrators still took to the streets in Berlin, leading to clashes with the police and subsequent arrests.
Moreover, the UK also witnessed a pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London, where approximately 100,000 people joined the rally. They waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine” while marching to 10 Downing Street, the residence of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
