15,000 people demand united for gaza in Berlin: protests go peacefully

15,000 people demand united for gaza in Berlin: protests go peacefully

On June 21, 2025, around 15,000 people gathered in Berlin on the occasion of a protest demonstration against arms deliveries to Israel and the attacks on Gaza. This reports Tagesschau . Originally only 5,000 participants were registered, but the response was overwhelming. Under the motto "United for Gaza", the demonstrators moved through the capital from the Reichstag building and express their solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The demonstration was peaceful until late in the afternoon, without any noteworthy incidents, according to the police report. However, sad reality are the tragic background of the conflict: since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacks, the conflict has requested over 57,000 fatalities, the vast majority on the Palestinian side. In the meantime, people in the Gaza Strip suffered from catastrophic conditions, many areas are largely destroyed. Posters called for the end of arms deliveries to Israel and the immediate stop of the attacks in the Gaza Strip.

freedom of expression and protest culture

The current protests raise questions about freedom of expression. Michael O’Flahery, Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, said in a letter to Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt concerns about the restriction of freedom of expression and warned that restrictions could endanger democracy. This reports rbb24 .

in Berlin took place between October 7, 2023 and June 15, 2025, a total of 1,569 meetings in connection with the Middle East conflict; Only 24 were banned. While the Senate Department for Interior emphasizes that 98.5 percent of the registered demos were carried out, Pro-Palestinian protests in particular are often proven with restrictions, such as the ban on Arab slogans. Criticism comes from activists like Nazi Musharbash, who sees these measures as a violation of freedom of expression.

legal uncertainty and police force

Another controversial aspect is the legal assessment of the slogan "From the River to the Sea". Different judgments in Germany have produced different ratings of this slogan, such as "https://www.amnesty.de/aktuell/deutschland-proteste-palaestina-gaza-israel- Anschrakung-Freiheit-Interview-Interview-Shann-Nahed-Samour" target = "_ blank"> Amnesty . In some cases, it was considered protected by freedom of expression, while finish was imposed in other judgments. This legal uncertainty helps people not perceive their rights for fear of state measures, the so -called "chilling effect".

In addition, there have been reports on excessive police violence against demonstrating, including minor, since the conflict out of the conflict. Protest researchers confirm that the intervention of the police is often violent, which leads to an intensive discussion about the measures of the Berlin police, which, however, justifies their missions as lawful and in accordance with the Freedom of Meeting Act.