Demonstration: Thousands demonstrate for Israel in an emotional rally

Thousands of people demonstrated in Berlin at an emotional large-scale rally against anti-Semitism and for solidarity with Israel. Relatives of Hamas hostages used emphatic words to describe their pain and called for the abductees to be freed. At the demonstration, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for the protection of Jewish life throughout Germany.

A few hours earlier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had emphasized at the inauguration of a newly built synagogue in Dessau-Roßlau, Anhalt: “Jewish life is and remains a part of Germany. It belongs here.” Germany will do everything to protect and strengthen Jewish life. Scholz, who wore a yarmulke at the event, said he was deeply outraged at how “anti-Semitic hatred and inhumane hatred” had also spread in Germany since the Hamas terrorist attacks.

Call from Steinmeier

Steinmeier told the demonstrators in Berlin that protecting Jewish life was a state responsibility – “but it is also a civic duty.” Steinmeier expressly asked “everyone in our country to accept this civic duty.” In view of the anti-Semitic riots of the past few days, he called it “unbearable that Jews are afraid again today – in this country of all places.”

Steinmeier emphasized that it was unbearable that Jewish parents no longer sent their children to school and that the Berlin Holocaust Memorial had to be protected by the police. “Every single attack on Jews and Jewish institutions is a disgrace for Germany.” Hatred of Israel that is expressed on the streets should not be tolerated. “Anti-Semitism is a red line.”

Birthday song for hostage

Many demonstrators had tears in their eyes as relative Roni Roman sang a birthday song for her sister, who had been kidnapped with her child by Hamas. “Today is my sister’s birthday, I’m standing here in front of you alone, I don’t know where she is, I can’t hold her in my arms,” ​​said the woman. “Time is running out for my sister and more than 200 people held captive in Gaza.”

Yoni Asher, whose daughters and wife were kidnapped, said: “I want to say to my daughter and my wife: hold on please, your father loves you, do not be afraid, hug each other. Our love will win and you will return to my arms again .”

Steinmeier called out to the hostages’ relatives: “We Germans are suffering, we are praying, we are pleading with you.” The Germans wanted to do everything they could to free the hostages. Steinmeier appealed to the hostage takers to release the innocent people.

Lots of Israeli flags

Numerous demonstrators waved Israeli flags, Iranian and Kurdish flags could also be seen, as well as banners with slogans such as “Stop terror against Jews!”. It also read: “I mourn with the relatives of the Israeli victims – and the civilian victims among the Palestinians.” Some participants held up photos of hostages.

The organizers spoke of 25,000 participants, the Berlin police, who were there with a massive contingent, of 10,000. The mood was good, as a spokeswoman said in the afternoon. After the riots of the past few days, Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) said: “Arson attacks on synagogues, attacks on Jews – these are arson attacks and attacks right in the heart of our city, and we will not allow that.”

Ambassador warns against spread of terror

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, warned against the spread of terror. There are often warnings about a conflagration caused by the Middle East conflict, said Prosor. But a conflagration must also be prevented in Germany, “otherwise the terror from the Gaza Strip will also reach Germany,” said Prosor in view of the anti-Semitic riots in Germany in recent days.

Prosor announced: “We must now eliminate the entire infrastructure of terror in the Gaza Strip – and if we do that, I really don’t want to hear any more ‘yes, but’.” Prosor said: “This time we have to go to the end.” Steinmeier emphasized: “Israel has the right to defend itself against this terror. And Germany is firmly on Israel’s side.” At the same time, terror is also affecting people in Gaza.

Cross-party solidarity

Several representatives of German politics called for cross-party support for Israel. But SPD leader Saskia Esken also warned of further consequences: “We must not allow right-wing radicals in Germany or Israel to turn their horror at Hamas’ terror into a fundamental hatred of Islam.” The many Muslims who lived peacefully in Germany “do not deserve this hatred,” said Esken.

CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann demanded: “There should be no demonstrations celebrating the actions of Hamas.” The immigration of anti-Semites must be stopped. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai said it must be clear “that people who reject our values ​​have no place here.” Left Party leader Martin Schirdewan, on the other hand, said: “Anti-Semitism cannot be deported, it must be combated in this country in any form using criminal law and political means.” Green Party leader Omid Nouripour emphasized: “If you want freedom for the Palestinians, you have to work towards it and raise your voice (…) so that the people in Gaza have human rights and are freed from Hamas and terror.”

The deputy head of the German Bishops’ Conference, Michael Gerber, called out to the listeners: “Peace over Israel, peace over the land that is also sacred to us.” The chairwoman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Annette Kurschus, said: “There is no wrongdoing: mass murder is godlessness. Anti-Semitism is blasphemy.”