As I stood amidst the crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters on May 15, 2024, what I witnessed was not a call for peace or justice but a raw, unfiltered display of antisemitism that left me profoundly shaken. The demonstration began at Wilmersdorfer Strasse and Kantstrasse, wound its way to Halensee S-Bahn Station, and quickly descended into a disturbing spectacle of hate. The slogans chanted by the protesters were not just expressions of political dissent; they were explicit calls for violence and destruction. "We want 48, and we get 48," echoed ominously through the streets - a stark and chilling reference to the year of Israel's founding and a clear call for its destruction. This was not a protest; it was a war cry.
Picture: Michael Kuenne
Other slogans, such as "From Berlin to Gaza, Yallah Yallah Intifada" and "Intifada Revolution," signaled an endorsement of a violent uprising.
Despite these slogans' inflammatory and potentially inciteful nature, the police stood by passively. This lack of action is not just troubling; it is a tacit endorsement of hate speech and a failure to protect the Jewish community from verbal and psychological assault. The authorities' passivity signals that such abuse can be expressed freely, without consequence.
The fear is palpable. Jewish residents are left to wonder if the next protest will escalate from words to violence. The idea that such open hostility can be expressed without repercussion in a city known for its diversity and tolerance is shocking and disheartening. The implications for the Jewish community are dire. This is not just about feeling unsafe; it's about the erosion of the sense of belonging and security that every citizen deserves.
Today's events must serve as a wake-up call. German society, and indeed the international community, must recognize and confront this rising tide of antisemitism with urgency and determination. Law enforcement agencies must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech and incitement to violence.
Berlin stands at a crossroads. The city's response to the rising tide of antisemitism will determine its future.