Hundreds of protesters gathered in Berlin on Sunday to express their support for Israel following the surprise attack by Palestinian militants the previous day.
Footage shows protesters gathering in front of Brandenburg Gate holding Israeli flags and signs reading ‘I stand with Israel’, ‘For Israel’ and “No €€€ for Gaza” and ‘Quran does not kill civilians’, among others.
“It’s good that we are in times of horror from these terrible images that reach us from Israel, it’s good to know that we are not alone, ladies and gentlemen, and it’s good to know that Berlin stands firmly at Israel’s side,” Berlin’s mayor Kai Wegner said as he addressed the protesters standing in front of a large Israeli flag.
“It’s a terrorist attack on Israel, which cannot be justified, ladies and gentlemen, and that is why Israel also has the unlimited right to self-defence,” Wegner continued.
Protesters also condemned the attack. “This is not the way to find a solution anyone in the world, neither for the Israeli, nor for the Palestinian people.
Horrible,” Thomas, a participant said. “I think it’s just important that people of Israel know that they’re not alone and that they’re supported by so many people around the world and also here in Germany,” another protester added.
On Saturday, Hamas militants fired more than 2,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip in a surprise attack against Israel, while gunmen crossed into southern Israel via land, sea and air.
At the time of publication, over 700 Israelis have been killed and more than 2,200 injured, according to Israeli authorities. In retaliation, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza.
Hundreds were killed and many more were wounded during the retaliatory strikes, according to the Palestinian administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country was ‘at war’ saying there would be ‘severe retaliation’ in response to the attack. Senior Hamas member Saleh al-Arouri said the militant group was ready ‘for all options, including a war and an escalation on all levels’ according to media reports.
The Palestinian offensive comes on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War when Israel was attacked by Arab states on Yom Kippur.
