Berlin protests respond to massacre in Gaza, demand Palestinian return and liberation

The following is largely translated from the Arabic original reports at the Abed Khattar website

Photo: Abed Khattar

Palestinian community organizations and solidarity activists in Berlin held a series of events in commemoration of 70 years of Nakba and in protest of the latest Israeli massacres in Gaza. These events were joined by a wide range of organizations, including F.O.R. Palestine, the Democratic Palestine Committees, BDS Berlin, the Palestinian Association in Germany and many others, including Samidoun activists.

Photo: Abed Khattar

On 12 May, the Palestinian Committee to Commemorate the Nakba held a large festival in Hermannplatz with a full day of booths, speakers and cultural performances, including cultural dances performed by the Al-Awda Dabkeh Troupe. The event included an audio message from Archbishop Attallah Hanna in Palestine, saluting the participants and organizers and urging the continuation of the Palestinian struggle. Hundreds of people participated in the festival throughout the day, including Palestinian community members and solidarity activists.

Photo: Abed Khattar
Photo: Abed Khattar

Speakers included Charlotte Kates, International Coordinator of the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network; they emphasized the continuing Palestinian struggle for return and liberation over 70 years of Nakba and denounced the role of the German and other European governments in continuing to support the Israeli occupation state.

https://youtu.be/FKgXuYo8xLM?t=32m53s

The actions continued on 14 May with two actions organized to commemorate the Nakba and protest the massacre of 61 Palestinians in Gaza by Israeli occupation forces on the same day. The Palestinian Committee to Commemorate al-Nakba gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate for a protest in solidarity with the Great Return March.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB73fALi-fw

Speakers denounced the massacre and urged action to stop Israeli impunity as well as denouncing the role of the United States and European powers in continually supporting Israeli colonialism.

Photo: Abed Khattar
Photo: Abed Khattar

Shortly thereafter, a protest to remember 70 years of Nakba began in Hermannplatz, with participation from a number of youth activists, BDS organizers and others. They carried signs calling for the boycott of Israel as well as Palestinian flags and lists commemorating the over 500 Palestinian villages destroyed in al-Nakba.

Photo: Soul Kino
Photo: Soul Kino

Protest actions continued on 15 May with another mass mobilization at Brandenburger Tor organized by the Palestinian Committee to Commemorate al-Nakba. Despite pouring rains, hundreds came together once again to demand freedom for Palestine and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

Speakers denounced the role of the United States and the move of its embassy to Jerusalem, demanding the liberation of Jerusalem and all of Palestine. Representing Palestinian organizations, solidarity groups and political parties like the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD), speakers emphasized their stand with the Palestinian people and the continuing struggle of Palestinians over 70 years of Nakba.

Photo: Abed Khattar
Photo: Abed Khattar