Memory day in Berlin: 500 protesters despite the ban on the Red City Hall

Memory day in Berlin: 500 protesters despite the ban on 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

State Secretary Bernd Krösser emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in Germany in connection with the recent events. He expressed confidence in the measure of the Berlin authorities to cope with the increasing conflict. In the first six weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel, however, a dozen pro-Palestinian meetings were prohibited. While the courts often decide against the hard measures of the Berlin Senate, the increasing prohibition of demonstrations and the associated reactions are considered problematic. People with Arabic migration background often complain about the stigma of being considered by Hamas sympathizers.

The already tense social peace could be further endangered by the restrictive policy of the Berlin Senate. Since October 2023, there have also been reports on violent riots between young men and the police. The strict measures lead to an increase in anti -Semitic offenses in Berlin, which jumped from 533 to 1451 in 2024. The so -called propagandaeles also rose to 531, while the number of violent offenses fell, which underlines the complexity of the situation. Critics warn that the handling of the authorities with the protests makes social cohesion difficult.

Protest researchers like Jannis Julien Grimm criticize the lack of empathy and the dialogue between the different groups. Last but not least, there are threats and hate mails against critics of Israeli warfare, which further poisoned the public climate. Against this background, it becomes clear that dealing with the topic is highly sensitive and a differentiated view requires to avoid possible escalations in the future.