On Saturday, Berlin witnessed significant protests ahead of the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel, where hundreds expressed their views through rallies and demonstrations while police monitored the situation closely with nearly 500 officers deployed. The police anticipated a busy weekend, with various gatherings planned for Sunday as well. Initially, the turnout was relatively modest, but events were also organized in other German cities, such as Hamburg, where hundreds joined the call for peace concerning the ongoing Gaza conflict. The German domestic intelligence agency indicated that the focal point of the protests was likely to be in the capital, Berlin.
The pro-Palestinian rally in Berlin took place near the former Tempelhof airport, titled “One year of genocide – and the world looks on. Against police violence.” Initially, the police estimated around 500 participants, but this number increased to over 1,000 as the march progressed from Tempelhof through the Kreuzberg district to the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Demonstrators prominently displayed Palestinian flags and slogans advocating for a free Palestine amidst an aggressive atmosphere. Some held banners with strong anti-Israel sentiments. The demonstration sometimes escalated into heated exchanges, with police reporting incidents of attendees chanting forbidden slogans and displaying prohibited symbols, which resulted in a few brief detentions.
In contrast, a pro-Israeli demonstration convened in the Mitte district, drawing approximately 650 participants in front of Humboldt University. Attendees shared Israeli flags and significant banners condemning global anti-Semitism. There were reports of members from the radical Antifa movement joining this rally. Despite some disturbances, including attempted intrusions by pro-Palestinian supporters leading to a brief skirmish, the police deemed the overall proceedings as largely peaceful, with successful management of the crowd dynamics involving minor arrests for breaches of the peace.
Prior to the Saturday events, legal tensions flared during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Friday at Alexanderplatz. The police had to intervene as participants engaged in anti-Israel chants, resulting in ten temporary arrests. One protester was noted for tearing up paper versions of Israeli flags during a “Vigil for Gaza” protest. Additionally, another gathering titled “Stop the War,” with a peak attendance of 100, saw frequent anti-Israel rhetoric and chants, prompting police to call for moderation among leaders. Investigations followed with ongoing scrutiny regarding potential misconduct, including the behavior of minors at these rallies.
The nature of the planned demonstrations ushered in a considerable police presence across Berlin, reflecting broader concerns about public safety and the potential for unrest. The police union characterized the anticipated situation as “dynamic” city-wide, citing warnings from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution regarding a rise in anti-Israeli sentiments and anti-Semitic protests. The agency’s president, Thomas Haldenwang, highlighted the significant risk of “heightened emotions, polarization and radicalization” stemming from the demonstrations, especially among individuals who might otherwise be considered moderate.
In response to the escalating tensions, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the government’s commitment to a stringent response to any anti-Semitic incidents occurring during the rallies. Faeser expressed the need to balance the space for grieving and democratic expression against the imperative of maintaining public order. She reiterated a firm stance against hostility towards Jewish individuals, calls for Israel’s eradication, and any form of Islamist propaganda, advocating for robust police intervention concerning these matters. Local security representative Iris Spranger echoed these sentiments, asserting that hatred and anti-Semitism would not be tolerated in Berlin’s public spaces, vowing to strive for peaceful demonstrations surrounding the contentious date of October 7.
