Remembrance Day in Berlin: 500 protesters despite the ban at the Red City Hall

Remembrance Day in Berlin: 500 protesters despite the ban at the Red City Hall

On October 7, 2025, a significant commemoration of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel took place in Berlin. On that day, around 500 people gathered at Alexanderplatz despite a ban on a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Participants shouted slogans such as “Glory to our Fighters” and “From the River to the Sea,” resulting in scuffles with police that resulted in at least one officer being injured. The police had prepared a water cannon as a precaution, but did not initially use it. The campaign was originally registered under the title “Stop the genocide” for 150 participants. A call on social media led to the initiation of criminal proceedings against the organizers and the police stopped another anti-Israel demonstration near the Oberbaum Bridge on the morning of Remembrance Day.

During this interim action, around 40 people blocked the road and set off pyrotechnics. Fortunately, there were no injuries or damage, but 17 people from a pro-Palestinian group were arrested for shouting banned slogans or obstructing traffic. The day commemorates the victims of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which tragically left 1,200 people dead and around 250 abducted to the Gaza Strip. Reports indicate that over 65,000 people, including many civilians, have been killed so far in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, further escalating the tense situation.

Freedom of expression and police violence in Berlin

In connection with the recent events, State Secretary Bernd Krösser emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and assembly in Germany. He expressed confidence in the measures taken by the Berlin authorities to deal with the increasing conflict. However, in the first six weeks after Hamas' attack on Israel, over a dozen pro-Palestinian gatherings were banned. While the courts often rule against the tough measures taken by the Berlin Senate, the increasing ban on demonstrations and the associated reactions are seen as problematic. People with an Arab migrant background often complain about the stigma of being seen as Hamas sympathizers.

The already tense social peace could be further jeopardized by the restrictive policies of the Berlin Senate. Since October 2023 there have also been reports of violent riots between young men and the police. The strict measures lead to an increase in anti-Semitic crimes in Berlin, which jumped from 533 to 1,451 in 2024. The so-called propaganda crimes also rose to 531, while the number of violent crimes fell, which underlines the complexity of the situation. Critics warn that the authorities' handling of the protests is making social cohesion more difficult.

Protest researchers like Jannis Julien Grimm criticize the lack of empathy and dialogue between the different groups. Last but not least, there are also threats and hate mail against critics of Israel's conduct of the war, which further poisons the public climate. Against this background, it becomes clear that dealing with the issue is highly sensitive and requires a differentiated approach in order to avoid possible escalations in the future.