German Easter peace marches call for end of wars in Ukraine, Gaza

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) – Thousands of people took to the streets of Germany on Saturday as part of the traditional Easter peace marches, calling for an end to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, according to local media reports.

In Berlin, around 3,500 demonstrators called for a diplomatic solution to the conflicts through negotiations and the cessation of arms deliveries to Ukraine and Israel.

Participants in the demonstration in Berlin also showed signs with the inscriptions “Friendship with Russia - Viva Palestine” and “Genocide in Gaza.”

Russian and Palestinian flags were also seen during the march, the German press agency dpa reported.

Protesters also criticized the German government for its unconditional support for Israel.

Last week, the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Meanwhile, thousands of people also gathered in several German cities, including Stuttgart, Bremen, Cologne, Duisburg, Saarbrücken, Leipzig and Kassel.

The Easter Marches date back to last century's pan-European peace movement urging nuclear disarmament and protesting the arms race, with the first Easter march held in Britain in 1958.