Tens of thousands of protesters filled Berlin streets on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “free, free Palestine” and demanded an immediate end to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Police deployed 1,800 officers to monitor the march, which started at Alexanderplatz and ended at the Victory Column.
Protesters urged Germany to stop arms exports to Israel and called for European Union sanctions against the country.
Around 50 organisations, including Amnesty International and Die Linke, organized the demonstration. Some protests required police intervention.
Counter-Protests and Clashes Reported
About 100 people rallied in support of Israel and condemned antisemitism, according to broadcaster RBB.
Scuffles broke out when pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups met, though police worked to separate them.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration in Kreuzberg ended after participants shouted anti-Israel slogans.
Protests Spread Across Europe and Conflict Background
Thousands of demonstrators marched in Düsseldorf under the banner “we will not forget Gaza — freedom for Palestine.”
Geneva saw 6,000 people rally to demand an end to the war in Gaza, Swiss broadcaster SRF reported.
The Gaza conflict began on 7 October 2023 after Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing nearly 1,200 civilians and kidnapping 251 people.
Israel’s military response over 23 months has killed more than 65,100 people in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry.
Germany initially blocked EU criticism of Israel’s campaign but now expresses growing concern about civilian suffering in Gaza.
Officials have stressed the need to protect civilians while navigating complex political and humanitarian issues.
