Tens of Thousands Confront German Support for Israeli Actions in Berlin Protest

Tens of Thousands Rally in Berlin Against German Support for Israel BERLIN, GERMANY - On Saturday, September 26, tens of thousands of people gathered in the heart of Berlin to protest against Germany's support for Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. The massive demonstration, dubbed "All Eyes on Gaza Stop the Genocide," was organized by a broad coalition of over 50 groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations and human rights advocates. According to eyewitnesses, more than 100,000 people marched from Berlin's City Hall to the Grosser Stern, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs that read "Stop the Genocide" and "Free Palestine." The protesters demanded an end to German complicity in Israel's alleged genocide in Gaza and called for a halt to all military cooperation with Israel, including the import, export, and transit of weapons and ammunition. "We are here today because we cannot stand idly by while the Israeli government commits atrocities against the Palestinian people," said Sahra Khoury, a spokesperson for the Left Party, which participated in organizing the rally. "Germany's support for Israel is complicity in these crimes, and we demand that our government take immediate action to stop this genocide." The actions of the Israeli government have been widely condemned by experts and international organizations as constituting genocide. The International Court of Justice is currently investigating these allegations. The protest was not without controversy, with some critics accusing the organizers of promoting anti-Semitism. However, many attendees countered that their opposition to Israel's actions was rooted in a commitment to human rights and international law. "This is not about being against Jews or Judaism," said Amira El-Haddad, a Palestinian-German activist who attended the rally. "This is about standing up for the basic human rights of the Palestinian people, who are facing apartheid and genocide at the hands of the Israeli government." The demonstration was one of several recent protests in Germany against Israel's actions in Gaza. In August, thousands of people gathered in Berlin to demand an end to German support for Israel. As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, many activists and human rights advocates are calling on governments around the world to take action to stop what they see as a humanitarian crisis. "The international community must come together to hold Israel accountable for its actions," said Dr. Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, which participated in organizing the rally. "We cannot stand by while innocent civilians are killed and displaced." The German government has yet to respond to the protesters' demands, but the rally's organizers say they will continue to pressure their government to take action. "We will not be silenced," said Khoury. "We will keep fighting for justice and human rights until our demands are met." *Reporting by Aljazeera.*