Emotional large-scale rally in Berlin: Thousands of people took a stand against anti-Semitism – and showed their solidarity with Israel. Federal President Steinmeier said that protecting Jewish life was a “civic duty.”
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his solidarity with Israel at a major event in Berlin and called on all citizens to protect Jewish life in Germany.
This is a state task, “but it is also a citizen’s duty,” said Steinmeier in front of thousands of participants in the rally against anti-Semitism and for solidarity with Israel at the Brandenburg Gate. He really asks “everyone in our country” to accept this duty.
“Nothing has been the same since October 7th,” said Steinmeier. Never since the end of the Shoah have so many Jews been murdered in an attack. Israel has the right to defend itself against this terror. “And Germany is firmly on Israel’s side,” said the Federal President.
The Federal President called out to the relatives of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas: “We Germans are suffering, we are praying, we are pleading with you.” The Germans wanted to do everything they could to secure his release. Steinmeier appealed to the hostage takers to release the innocent people.
After the attack by the militant Islamist Hamas, Israel has the right to defend itself – this was read on signs at the demonstration and heard from the Federal President.
Help for people in the Gaza Strip “command of humanity”
In view of the anti-Semitic riots of the past few days, Steinmeier called it “unbearable that Jews are afraid again today – in this country of all places.” It is also unbearable that Jewish parents no longer send their children to school and that the Berlin Holocaust Memorial has to be protected by the police. “Every single attack on Jews and Jewish institutions is a disgrace for Germany.”
At the same time, the Federal President emphasized that the terror also affects people in the Gaza Strip “whose interests Hamas only pretends to represent.” It was the terrorists who led Gaza into a destructive military war. “We must and will work to protect civilians; they need humanitarian aid and humanitarian corridors. This is a requirement of humanity,” emphasized Steinmeier.
“If necessary, deportation must occur”
The managing director of the Central Council of Jews, Daniel Botmann, called for “more than declarations of intent (…), more than expressions of solidarity” in Berlin. “We demand action,” he said. It is unbearable if Jewish parents have to fear for their children. Botmann emphasized that he is proud of every single Jewish community that has kept its school, daycare center or synagogue open – “because it is their right.”
Botmann also spoke out in favor of harsher consequences for anti-Semitism: “Anyone who shouts anti-Semitic slogans and does not have German citizenship must be expelled and, if necessary, deported.” Anyone who has German citizenship must be severely punished.
Israel’s ambassador doesn’t want to hear any more “yes, buts.”
Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, warned at the mass rally against the spread of Hamas’ 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. “These days, synagogues in Germany have become targets.”
Stars of David were smeared on houses in which Jews live. “This cannot be tolerated – zero tolerance for any form of anti-Semitism,” Prosor shouted to applause. He 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’.” He added: “This time we have to go to the end.”
Esken and Nouripour warn Blanket condemnations
Politicians also spoke at the large rally. The CDU and FDP called for a tougher course in migration policy. “We have a big problem in Germany with political Islam, which also includes hatred of Jews,” said CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann. “We have looked the other way for too long. We must intensify deportations and stop the immigration of anti-Semites.”
Bijan Djir-Sarai, General Secretary of the FDP, made similar statements. “We have to talk much more clearly about issues like migration and deficits in integration policy, we have to speak plainly,” said the liberal. “We have to make it clear that people who reject our values have no place here.” It is difficult to bear that the terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic Hamas were celebrated on the streets of Berlin. “We don’t want these people here,” said Djir-Sarai.
SPD leader Saskia Esken avoided such demands in her speech at the rally. She warned against general suspicions against Muslims. “We must not allow right-wing extremists to turn Hamas’ terror into a fundamental hatred of Islam,” said Esken. “The Muslims who live with us do not deserve this hatred.”
Green Party leader Omid Nouripour made similar comments. The majority of Muslims in Germany reject the terror of Hamas – he expressly says this “as a German of Muslim faith,” said Nouripour.
According to police, 10,000 participants and participants
The solidarity rally was held under the motto “Stand up against terror, hatred and anti-Semitism – in solidarity and compassion for Israel.” A broad alliance of initiatives, parties, churches, trade unions, employers’ associations and the Central Council of Jews called for it.
Relatives of the hostages as well as representatives of parties, churches and religious communities also spoke. 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.”
Relatives of Hamas hostages used emphatic words to describe their pain and called for the abductees to be freed.
“Time is running out”
A relative sang a birthday song for her sister, who had been kidnapped with her child by Hamas. “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.”
A man whose daughters and wife were kidnapped said: “I want to say to my daughter and my wife: Please hold on, your father loves you, don’t be afraid, hug each other. Our love will win and you will return to my arms .”
According to the organizers, 25,000 people came. The Berlin police, who were there with a massive contingent, said there were 10,000 participants. According to a spokeswoman, there were no special incidents or disruptions.