The anti-Semitism commissioner of Germany voiced alarm over possible attacks on Jewish landmarks, prompting police to break up pro-Hamas festivities in Berlin on Saturday night.
Berlin’s Palestinian community, one of the largest outside the Middle East, calls Sonnenallee home. During the scuffles, two police officers were hurt.
Police in the Neukoelln neighborhood tried to disperse the group of about 40 revelers on Sonnenallee Avenue late at night. Many were arrested.
From the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free” was reportedly chanted by protesters, a banned slogan.
Protests in support of Israel were set to take place on Sunday at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, with the Israeli flag projected on Saturday night. In memory of the tragedy, the Palestinian non-governmental organization Samidoun handed out baklava earlier on Saturday. They spoke out online in favor of the Palestinian resistance.
A terrorist front for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Samidoun is banned in Israel.
The first prominent Muslim German politician spoke out against the violence. Agriculture Minister Cem Zdemir took to Twitter to criticize Islamic organizations in Germany for their menacing silence in the face of terrorism, murder, and kidnapping, writing that such actions are “humanly and socially unacceptable.”
Germany’s national anti-Semitism commissioner Felix Klein called the ceremonies a “disgusting glorification of murder against Jews.” He also advocated for increased protection at places of Jewish worship. He warned that Jews in Germany would be at far more risk if Hamas attacked Israel.
According to the head of the French Jewish community’s governing body, synagogue security has been beefed up. They admitted that they are keeping an eye out for any imitators and that they are vigilant.
Another 600 Israelis were killed, and another 1,200 were injured in the attacks on Saturday. The Israeli prime minister Netanyahu has declared war due to this development.
Two German citizens were reportedly kidnapped and taken as prisoners to Gaza. Three hundred Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
