On September 27, 2025, Berlin’s city center transformed into a sea of flags, banners, and impassioned voices as tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered to demand an end to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The protest, one of the largest seen in the German capital in recent memory, underscored a growing sense of urgency and shifting public sentiment over Germany’s role in the Middle East conflict.
According to police, around 50,000 people marched through Berlin’s downtown area, though organizers claimed the number reached as high as 100,000. The demonstration, organized by the Die Linke political party and a coalition of civil society groups, began at Alexanderplatz and wound its way to the iconic Victory Column in the Tiergarten district. The crowd, waving Palestinian flags and holding banners reading “Free, free Palestine” and “Food and water are human rights,” chanted for peace and an immediate end to the hostilities in Gaza. As reported by FRANCE 24, the atmosphere was charged but largely peaceful, with about 1,800 law enforcement officers deployed to monitor the event and ensure public safety.
“Today we can send a signal that the majority, who are against Israel’s policies and against this genocide, are visible on the streets and can take action,” protester Dustin Hirschfeld told AFP during the rally. The demonstration culminated in a rally and concert featuring rappers and hip hop artists, adding a cultural dimension to the political statement.
The protesters’ demands were clear and echoed in banners, speeches, and chants throughout the day. Chief among them was a call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251. As AP reported, there are still 48 hostages believed to remain in Gaza, with Israel estimating that 20 are still alive.
Equally prominent was the demand for Germany to halt all arms exports to Israel. Protesters argued that German-made weapons should not be used in a conflict that has, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, killed more than 65,100 people in Gaza over the past 23 months. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, but United Nations agencies and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable wartime estimates. The war has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population and caused what humanitarian experts describe as a catastrophic crisis, with famine reported in Gaza City.
In addition to the arms embargo, demonstrators pushed for the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel—a move that would represent a sharp break from Germany’s longstanding pro-Israel policy. According to German news agency dpa, this demand reflects a growing frustration with what many see as insufficient action from Berlin and Brussels in the face of mounting civilian suffering in Gaza.
Germany’s position on the conflict is deeply influenced by its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, which has shaped a postwar foreign policy centered on supporting Israel and combating antisemitism. For decades, Germany has been one of Israel’s staunchest allies and, along with the United States and Italy, a leading supplier of military hardware. However, as the war in Gaza has dragged on and the humanitarian toll has mounted, public opinion in Germany has begun to shift.
Last month, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany would not authorize any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.” This decision, reported by AP and FRANCE 24, marked a significant policy adjustment and was interpreted by many as a sign of growing skepticism within the German government about the current course of the conflict. Still, critics argue that Merz’s move does not go far enough. Germany has so far balked at supporting EU sanctions against Israel and has signaled reluctance to recognize a Palestinian state, unlike many of its Western allies.
“The government must finally take action and increase pressure on the Israeli government to force it to change course,” Die Linke urged in a statement calling for participation in the protest. The party has accused the German government of remaining largely silent as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates.
The Berlin protest was not an isolated event. Several thousand people also demonstrated in the western German city of Düsseldorf under the slogan “we will not forget Gaza — freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples.” In Geneva, about 6,000 people took to the streets to demand an end to the war in Gaza, according to Swiss public broadcaster SRF. Other European cities have witnessed similar protests in recent weeks, highlighting a continent-wide wave of solidarity with Palestinians and growing impatience with the status quo.
Amid the massive Berlin demonstration, a smaller group—about 100 people—held a counter-protest in support of Israel and “against all forms of antisemitism,” as reported by German public broadcaster RBB. When the two groups crossed paths, isolated scuffles broke out, though it was not immediately clear whether these were between protesters or with police trying to separate them.
Germany’s internal debate reflects broader tensions within the European Union. As noted by AP and FRANCE 24, Germany has led efforts among the EU’s 27 member states to block collective criticism of or attempts to halt Israel’s blockade of Gaza and its military campaign. Yet, Chancellor Merz’s recent comments and the government’s decision to restrict arms exports suggest a gradual, if cautious, reconsideration of this stance.
For many in Germany, the country’s Holocaust legacy remains a central factor in shaping policy and public attitudes toward Israel. Yet, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and the death toll continues to climb, more Germans are questioning whether unwavering support for Israel is compatible with human rights principles and international law. The turnout in Berlin, with its diverse coalition of civil society groups, political parties, and individuals, signals a significant moment in this ongoing debate.
As dusk fell over Berlin and the crowds began to disperse, the message from the streets was unmistakable: a growing number of Germans are calling for a new approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict—one that balances historical responsibility with present-day moral imperatives. Whether and how the German government will respond to this pressure remains to be seen, but the events of September 27 have undeniably shifted the conversation.
In the midst of political calculations and historical reckonings, the voices from Berlin’s protest—demanding peace, justice, and accountability—will likely echo far beyond Germany’s borders in the weeks and months ahead.