Thousands of protesters attend pro-Palestinian rally in German capital Berlin
More than 2,000 people turned out at a rally in Berlin on Wednesday under the banner "Against Israeli aggression towards oppressed Palestinians," according to the information released by the official sources.
- World
- Published Date: 10:11 | 19 May 2021
- Modified Date: 10:24 | 19 May 2021
Many people waved Palestinian flags. The demonstration was peaceful, according to initial reports.
It was called off before the procession had reached the city's Brandenburg Gate, although the police spokesperson was initially unable to explain the reasons it ended sooner than planned.
The rally was staged after tensions in the Middle East escalated nine days ago.
Recent tensions that started in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan spread to Gaza as a result of Israeli assaults on worshippers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
Palestinians were also angered by forced evictions in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood Sheikh Jarrah.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. In 1980 it annexed the entire city, a move never recognized by the international community.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, including dozens of children and women, in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since May 10, according to the latest figures released by the Gaza-based Health Ministry.