Several thousand people demonstrated against antisemitism in Berlin on Sunday as Germany grapples with a large increase in anti-Jewish incidents following Hamas’ attack on Israel two months ago.
Quick Read
- Anti-Antisemitism Demonstration in Berlin: Thousands protested against antisemitism in Berlin, as Germany faces a rise in anti-Jewish incidents following Hamas’ attack on Israel.
- Demonstration Size and Location: Approximately 3,200 to 10,000 people gathered in the rain, according to police and organizers, marching to the Brandenburg Gate.
- Title of the Protest: The protest was named “Never again is now.”
- Increase in Antisemitic Incidents: A group monitoring antisemitism reported a 320% increase in incidents, totaling 994, in the month after Hamas’ attack compared to the previous year.
- Comments from Jewish Leader: Josef Schuster, a leading Jewish figure in Germany, remarked that antisemitism is prevalent in German society and called for solidarity with Israel and Jewish life in Germany.
- Statement by Germany’s Labor Minister: Hubertus Heil emphasized the need for active support against antisemitism, advocating for a vocal and clear majority to stand up against it.
- Support for the Event: The demonstration received wide support, including from the speaker of the German parliament and the mayor of Berlin.
The Associated Press has the story:
Germany: Thousands demonstrate against Antisemitism in Berlin
Newslooks- BERLIN (AP)
Several thousand people demonstrated against antisemitism in Berlin on Sunday as Germany grapples with a large increase in anti-Jewish incidents following Hamas’ attack on Israel two months ago.
Police estimated that around 3,200 people gathered in the rain in the German capital, while organizers put the figure at 10,000, German news agency dpa reported. Participants in the protest, titled “Never again is now,” marched to the Brandenburg Gate.
A group tracking antisemitism in Germany said in late November that it had documented a drastic increase in antisemitic incidents in the month after Hamas’ attack – a total of 994, an increase of 320% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Germany’s main Jewish leader, Josef Schuster, said that “antisemitism is common practice in Germany in the middle of society,” and called for solidarity with Israel and with Jewish life in Germany.
Germany’s labor minister, Hubertus Heil, said that many decent people are too quiet on the issue. “We don’t need a decent, silent majority — we need a clear and loud majority that stands up now, and not later,” he said.
The event had wide support, with the speaker of the German parliament and Berlin’s mayor also among its backers.
