Israeli demonstrators in Berlin demand cease-fire in Gaza

By Erbil Basay and Cuneyt Karadag

BERLIN (AA) - A group of Israelis staged a demonstration in the German capital of Berlin on Friday, demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

Advocating peace in the Palestinian enclave, the demonstrators gathered in front of the German foreign ministry building and urged the German government to pressure Israel for a diplomatic solution.

During the protest, demonstrators held banners written in German, English, and Hebrew saying "Israelis for peace," "Israelis for ceasefire now," "Stop the war," "Germany, your silence is killing" and "Human rights for everyone".

The demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Ceasefire" and "Germany, stop supplying weapons to Israel."

Nimrod Flaschenberg, a demonstrator, stated that the demonstrators came together after the horrific massacre committed on Thursday by Israel against Palestinians facing starvation, saying: "We say that this should be a turning point. At this point, a cease-fire is necessary. Germany can play an important role in achieving such a cease-fire."

- 'Enough is enough'

Flaschenberg expressed his sorrow over the deaths of Palestinians, saying: "Enough is enough. So much hatred, so much crime, enough is enough. This must come to an end. There needs to be a diplomatic solution, an agreement on the release of hostages and detainees."

Flaschenberg also criticized Germany for providing military support to the Israeli government.

"If the German government believes in international law and human rights, it must immediately stop supplying weapons to Israel. If Germany, the US, and other countries cease sending weapons to Israel, they can end this war. The international community must play a role in ending this war, exerting pressure for it to end."

Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. The ensuing Israeli bombardment has killed more than 30,200 and injured over 70,400 with mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.