In a powerful display of solidarity, more than 100,000 people took to the streets of Berlin on Saturday to protest Germany’s support for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The rally, organized by a diverse coalition of around 50 groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations, Medico International, Amnesty International, and the opposition Left Party, highlighted the urgent call for an end to what many are labeling as genocide.
Marching from Berlin’s City Hall to the Grosser Stern, demonstrators voiced their outrage over the German government’s complicity in Israel’s military actions, demanding an immediate cessation of all military cooperation with Israel. This includes a halt to the import, export, and transit of weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment.
“The actions of the Israeli government have long been described as genocide by experts and international organizations, and the International Court of Justice is investigating them as such,” the organizers stated in a press release. “While it is clear that the Israeli military is committing mass atrocities in Gaza, the German government continues to deny the systematic violence.”
Protesters chanted slogans such as “Free, free Palestine” and “Viva Palestine,” while holding up signs that read “Stop the genocide in Gaza,” “Never again for all,” and “Freedom for Palestine.” Many waved Palestinian flags, emphasizing their solidarity with the besieged population of Gaza.
The rally also called for immediate humanitarian aid access to Gaza and urged the European Union to impose sanctions against Israel in response to its military actions. The fervor of the crowd reflected a growing sentiment among the German populace, as a recent survey revealed that 62 percent of voters believe that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide. This figure places increasing pressure on the center-right government to reevaluate its stance towards Israel.
The YouGov poll indicated that this belief crosses political lines, with a notable 60 percent of voters from the conservative Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc agreeing that Israel’s military campaign constitutes genocide against Palestinians. Among supporters of the coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), that number climbs to 71 percent.
While Chancellor Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul have recently intensified their criticism of Israel’s military offensive and the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, they have refrained from using the term genocide. Instead, they have referred to Israel’s actions as the “disproportionate” use of force. Moreover, the German government has yet to recognize the State of Palestine, a move that has been made by several other nations, including France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
The Berlin demonstration underscores a significant shift in public opinion regarding Germany’s role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates and the calls for justice grow louder, it remains to be seen how the German government will respond to the mounting pressure from its citizens and the international community. The rally served not only as a protest but as a clarion call for a reassessment of Germany’s foreign policy in the face of humanitarian crises across the globe.
