Protesting in Hamburg: A Crowd Speaks Out Against the Gaza War's Violence
More than 500 Hamburg residents demonstrate against the ongoing Gaza Conflict - Demonstration in Hamburg attended by over 500 individuals, expressing opposition to the ongoing Gaza conflict
Hamburg, Germany - In the heart of the city, under the glow of the Town Hall Square's magnificent architecture, a crowd of over 500 people gathered. Their chants filled the cool evening air, all calling for an immediate end to the persistent conflict in Gaza. With signs alight and spirits high, the speakers addressed a range of concerns surrounding the ongoing war.
The rally, baptized as "Humanity, Dignity, Law - This War Must End," was coordinated by Schura, the Council of Islamic Communities in Hamburg, and garnered support from multiple political factions such as the Left Party, the Jusos, and the Greens Youth.
Özlem Nas, deputy chair of Schura, passionately claimed, "International humanitarian law must be upheld without exception in the Gaza Strip." She condemned the use of collective punishment, attacks on civilians, blocked aid, ruined infrastructure, and the displacement of civilians - actions she deemed intolerable, no matter the perpetrator.
A visiting Gaza Strip doctor shared a poignant message, accusing the German government of complicity in the people of Gaza's suffering. "We save lives here daily, only to watch our own families perish with weapons supported by Germany," said cardiologist Shadi Abuhamad. He specifically criticized Hamburg's Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD), who is also a doctor, for what he perceived as double standards.
Speakers faced heckles as they addressed criticisms towards Hamas. During speeches by Dafina Berisha, Leon Meyer, and Peter Zamory, portions of the audience expressed disapproval, booing and interrupting when speakers called out Hamas' crimes and their use of the Palestinian population as human shields.
Zamory's remarks particularly sparked disapproval when he reminded the audience of Hamas' transgressions and implored for "freeing Gaza from Hamas" – a demand that seemed to strike a nerve within the crowd.
While the German federal government has historically been cautious in its criticisms of Israel, Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently spoke out against Israel's actions in Gaza, highlighting the unacceptability of harming civilians under the pretext of combating Hamas terrorism[4]. Still, Germany remains one of Israel's strongest allies in Europe, with concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza generally focusing on protecting civilians and adhering to international law[1].
The Commission, amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict, has also been urged to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as Germany's political landscape continues to express concern over political events such as war-and-conflicts, with parties like the Left Party, the Jusos, and the Greens Youth voicing support for peaceful resolutions. In the midst of this, a visiting Gaza Strip doctor accused the German government, specifically Hamburg's Mayor Peter Tschentscher, of complicity in the people of Gaza's suffering, citing the use of German-supported weapons in the ongoing violence.
