At Berlin march, protesters accuse Israel of ‘genocide’

BERLIN — Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters take to the streets of Berlin waving flags and demanding an end to Israeli strikes on Gaza amid the ongoing war triggered by the Hamas terror group’s deadly October 7 onslaught.

German news agency dpa reports that about 6,000 protesters marched through Berlin’s center after calls from Arab and German leftist organizations to join the demonstration today.

“Save Gaza,” “Stop genocide” and “Ceasefire” were emblazoned on marchers’ placards, according to AFP journalists.

Around 1,000 police officers are on duty to prevent possible clashes after several previous pro-Palestinian protests in Berlin turned violent in the past four weeks.

Police have banned any kind of public or written statements that are antisemitic, anti-Israeli or glorify violence or terror.

Several thousand protesters also march through the western Germany city of Duesseldorf in support of Palestinians and against Israel.

German police have said they feared tensions at the demonstration in Berlin following the ban on activities linked to Hamas and the Samidoun association, whose members are accused of celebrating the attack on Israel.

The ban was made official on Thursday.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has been criticized by the conservative opposition for delaying the implementation of the ban announced a fortnight ago by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.