Solidarity demonstration for Israel in Berlin

Berlin (dpa/d.de) -Thousands of people in Berlin have taken part in a major demonstration against anti-Semitism and to show their solidarity with Israel. “The events in Israel, the news and images that are reaching us, are also causing us profound pain here in Germany,” Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at the demonstration. “We say to our friends in Israel and to all Jews: You are not alone. We are standing by you in these terrible hours. Your pain is our pain.” According to the organisers, 25,000 people took part in the demonstration, though the figure was only 10,000 according to the police.

The German president called at the demonstration for Jewish life to be protected all over Germany. He said that protecting Jewish life was the responsibility of the state – “but also a civic duty”. Hatred against Israel must not be tolerated, he added. “Anti-Semitism is a red line.”

At the inauguration of a new synagogue in Dessau-Rosslau in Saxony-Anhalt, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasised: “Jewish life is and remains part of Germany. It belongs here.” Germany will do everything to protect and strengthen Jewish life, he said.