Tension is high ahead of the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on Israel. The police are preparing for several large-scale operations. Initially, there are no major incidents.
Even before the anniversary on October 7th, hundreds of people in Berlin are commemorating the Hamas massacre in Israel and the Gaza war with rallies and demonstrations. According to the police, well over 1,000 people took part in a pro-Palestinian protest march, and around 650 came to a pro-Israel gathering.
A police spokesman described the incident as “largely trouble-free”. Almost 500 police officers were on duty, as the police announced on the online platform X. She is preparing for a large-scale operation throughout the weekend, as numerous meetings have also been announced for Sunday.
The number of participants in Berlin was initially relatively small, especially compared to a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Saturday, which was attended by tens of thousands. In Rome, there were sometimes violent clashes between demonstrators and police officers at an unauthorized pro-Palestine demonstration with several thousand people.
Demonstrations are also planned elsewhere in Germany. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Hamburg and initially protested peacefully against the Gaza war. According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the focus of the protests is likely to be the capital.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Tempelhof
In Berlin, the police estimate that around 500 people gathered at Airlift Square near police headquarters for a pro-Palestinian demonstration entitled “One year of genocide – and the world is watching. Against police violence.” As the protest marched through Tempelhof and Kreuzberg, more and more people joined it. At the peak there were well over 1,000, but under 2,000, as the police spokesman said.
Many of the participants waved Palestine flags and wore so-called Palestinian scarves. Signs read “Free Palestine.” A large banner covered in blood-red paint read “Stop Israel’s Blood Genoicide.” Several demonstrators held up photos showing police officers in action and denounced police violence.
German arms deliveries to Israel were criticized in speeches. The tone was sometimes aggressive. The mood among the demonstrators was heated. According to the police, participants chanted banned slogans several times, while others showed banned symbols. According to police, six demonstrators were briefly arrested because of this.
At around 8:20 p.m. the leader of the meeting broke up the demonstration at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin-Mitte. At this point, many participants were no longer there. The demonstration was originally supposed to end at the Brandenburg Gate.
Disturbance at a pro-Israel rally in Berlin-Mitte
Numerous people gathered in front of Humboldt University for a pro-Israel rally that went through Berlin-Mitte. The police spoke of an estimated 650 participants. Some of them waved Israeli flags. The motto of the rally could be read on a large banner: “Against the anti-Semitic International.” Members of the radical left-wing Antifa movement also took part.
The demonstration reached its end in the afternoon without any major disruptions, according to the police. However, a group of 26 people tried to push into the protest march. The police intervened, said the spokesman. There were scuffles. According to the police, these were people from the pro-Palestinian camp. Proceedings for breach of the peace were initiated against them.
A year ago on October 7, 2023, terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped around 250 others as hostages in the Gaza Strip. This was the trigger for the Gaza war, in which, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority, around 42,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, around a third of them children and young people.
Anti-Israeli shouts, flags burned
The police intervened in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Berlin’s Alexanderplatz because of anti-Israel statements and actions. According to authorities, there were ten temporary arrests on Friday evening. In one case, this involved a man tearing up paper flags of the State of Israel at a “Vigil for Gaza” rally.
The mother of an eleven-year-old child is also being investigated on suspicion of violating her duty of care and upbringing. The background is that, according to the police, speeches at a meeting entitled “Stop the War” were specifically made by underage children who cannot yet be prosecuted.
Union expects “dynamic situation”
The police union expects a “city-wide, dynamic situation” in connection with the anniversary in the capital. According to the police, around 2,000 officers will be on duty on the anniversary itself, on Monday. Several commemorative events and protests have been announced.
Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) has announced a tough crackdown in the event of anti-Semitic statements. Berlin police officers and emergency services from other federal states as well as the federal police would pursue crimes with all vigor, said Spranger. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) had previously emphasized that the police forces would have their full support.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
