Two pro-Palestinian demonstrations began in Munich early Saturday afternoon. The larger of the two has the motto “Peace for Gaza – Stop the war”, called for by the “Palestine Speaks” initiative. According to an initial estimate by the police, the approximately 5,000 participants are demanding an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas.
Speakers condemned Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip as “genocide.” This must be ended immediately. The role of the federal government was also heavily criticized: by supporting Israel, it was complicit in the deaths of many people. The participants repeatedly shouted: “Free, free Gaza!” Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 was not mentioned at the start of the demonstration.
The route of the demonstration begins at the Old Botanical Garden and leads via Stachus, Sonnenstrasse, Fraunhoferstrasse, Reichenbauchbrücke, Zeppelinstrasse and Corneliusbrücke to Gärtnerplatz.
“Palestine Speaks” describes itself as a “political, democratic and anti-racist movement.” On its website, the “illegal occupation” of Palestine is criticized and Israel is accused of having an “apartheid system”. At a rally organized by this group on Marienplatz two days after the Hamas terrorist attack, slogans and posters denying Israel’s right to exist were heard and seen. The police are therefore investigating.
The call from “Palestine Speaks” for the demonstration this Saturday states: “We do not accept any racist or anti-Semitic slogans, signs or banners that contain hate symbols or hate-inciting language. Please only bring Palestine flags to the demonstration. It is an act of resistance to hold the Palestinian flag high.” And: “Any kind of aggression or harassment will absolutely not be tolerated.”
The second, smaller demonstration this Saturday has the motto “Peace in the Middle East. Never again war”, it leads from Odeonsplatz via Maximilianstrasse and Isartor to Rindermarkt; around 350 people take part. They shout: “Palestine is in need, many children are already dead.” Or: “Child murderer Israel, human murderer Israel.” The police accompanied both meetings with numerous officers. According to the district administration department (KVR), a third meeting that was originally registered was canceled.
The city of Munich did not try to ban the demonstrations this time. This attempt failed at an earlier pro-Palestine demo in mid-October. The Administrative Court had decided that the previous events in Munich did not justify a ban; this would be the last resort. The KVR wants to prevent publicly expressed anti-Semitism and prevent crimes with conditions. Participants are prohibited from denying Israel’s right to exist, denigrating state symbols, glorifying or calling for hatred and violence, or showing symbols of terrorist organizations.
On Friday, the Israelite Community (IKG) “strongly” recommended that Jews “exercise particular caution throughout the city center” this Saturday for safety reasons. In particular, the routes of demonstrations should be avoided immediately before, during and after the meetings. The notice was sent in a newsletter, as the IKG confirmed on Saturday, and is headed with the words: “Urgent notice from the security department.” Charlotte Knbobloch, the president of the IKG, explained in response to questions from the SZ: This notice was sent out “because a large number of them do not feel safe around rallies against Israel. Many people are afraid that hatred of Israel will also lead to anti-Jewish ones Incidents may follow”.
A rally in solidarity with Israel and “against terror, hatred and anti-Semitism” is planned for this Sunday on Odeonsplatz. The organizers are the Munich Greens, and the call is supported by the CSU, SPD, FDP and Volt, among others. They want to support the victims of terror, the hostages held in Gaza and their relatives.
“Hamas’ attack on Israel is barbaric,” the call says. “The terrorist attacks against Israel cannot be justified. The terrorists do not act in the interests of the Palestinian population and cannot rely on their suffering, but only murder for their own ideology and hatred. Their goal is the destruction of the State of Israel of all Jews in the world.”