By Johannes Malinowski and Hildburg Bruns
The sky over the capital was blue and white on Sunday afternoon – the colors of the Israeli flag: 2,000 people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to protest against Hamas terror and to support Israel. The clear signal: WE are Berlin. WE are at YOUR side!
The German-Israeli Society (DIG) invited people to the solidarity rally. Many came with Israel flags and banners that read, among other things: “Peace and security for Israel, no financial aid to terrorists” or “Stop Business with Iran.”
“I want to encourage all Germans to stand up against anti-Israel demonstrations or calls for Allahu Akbar” Judith Kresse (42) with daughter Leni Photo: Timo Beurich
Representatives of parties and associations spoke on stage. Israel’s ambassador Ron Prosor (64): “The Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of democratic Germany.” For him, the word raison d’état took on a concrete meaning at that moment.
“We should not only show solidarity with the dead Jews, but also with the living ones” Hinrich Kaasmann (74) from Hamburg Photo: Timo Beurich
Referring to the people being shot on the streets in his home country, Prosor said: “This is what terror looks like. These are not fighters or militants.” The Hamas leadership is not interested in the well-being of its own people.
“I have friends and relatives in Israel. For them it’s like being in a horror movie. Terrible.” Marina Andreeva, administrative employee from Charlottenburg Photo: Olaf Selchow
Young political organizations were also particularly present. Hanna Veiler (25), President of the Jewish Student Union of Germany, said in her speech: “I hate that we have to stand here today. Every time we have to organize such a demonstration, we hope that it will be the last.” At the same time, she always knows that the next attack is coming.
“We Jews have been hiding for too long. “This here today is a sign that we are alive and not extinct after 2000 years of persecution” Chaim Sonnenfeld (18), student from Charlottenburg Photo: Olaf Selchow
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (51, CDU) after the BZ rally: “The event showed that Berlin stands on Israel’s side and this terror must be ended.”
“Our hearts are broken. I’m here in Germany and can’t help. Luckily my family is doing well” Yeara Peretz (43) from Steglitz, born in Israel Photo: Olaf Selchow
Wegner, looking at the streets of Neukölln where the Hammas terror was celebrated: “I don’t want images like that from the city of freedom. I don’t want to see people celebrating when others die or are overwhelmed by terror.”
According to a police spokeswoman, 450 additional police forces were on the move in Berlin on Sunday in the city area to provide increased protection for the solidarity demonstration and Jewish and Israeli institutions.