Berlin: Hundreds of people remember the victims of the Hamas attack

Hundreds of people gathered on Bebelplatz in Berlin on Wednesday to commemorate the over 1,200 victims of the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Among them were high-ranking politicians such as Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor was also present. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli settlements and army bases along the Gaza Strip. About 1,200 people were killed. Around 250 hostages were kidnapped, many of whom also died. As a result, Israel attacked numerous locations in the Gaza Strip; Large parts of the Palestinian territory were destroyed and tens of thousands of people were killed. The attacks also targeted Lebanon and Iran.

Dobrindt assures Israel of German solidarity

During his speech on Bebelplatz - the site of the book burnings after the National Socialists came to power in 1933 - Dobrindt assured the State of Israel of Germany's solidarity. Those who question Israel's right to exist are "not part of Germany and must not become one," said Dobrindt. With regard to Germany, Dobrindt said that combating anti-Semitism was the “duty of every German.” He wants Germany to remain a "good country and become a better country" for Jews; anti-Semitism is a "hideous poison" that threatens to poison parts of society here too.

Israeli and Iranian flags

Another speech was given by Noga Friedmann, whose husband, a special forces soldier, was killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. A planned speech by the Israeli ambassador was canceled because the event was too late on schedule. Other politicians were guests, such as Finance Senator Stefan Evers, Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (both CDU), Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) and the AfD state chairwoman Kristin Brinker as well as the former Culture Senator Joe Chialo, but also celebrities such as the actress Iris Berben. Candles were lit in remembrance, among other things. In addition to many Israeli flags, some Iranian flags were also visible at the memorial event.

Police with 1,000 officers on duty

According to an rbb reporter, bag checks took place at the entrance to the event. The police were present at a total of eight Israel solidarity events and meetings on Wednesday, and there were also two pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In total, the police have around 1,000 officers on duty. For example, there was a memorial event at the Brandenburg Gate, where an installation with photos of victims of the terrorist attack was set up. They were visited on Wednesday by the Berlin parliamentary group leader of the Left, Elif Eralp, as well as Bettina Jarasch and Werner Graf from the Greens and the SPD state leader Steffen Krach. On Wednesday evening, the Brandenburg Gate will be illuminated again with the Israeli flag. On Wednesday morning there was already a commemoration in the Central Synagogue of the Chabad Jewish Community, in which Stefan Evers took part, among others. In the evening there was also to be an interfaith service in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Charlottenburg, at which a speech by Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) was also planned. Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) is in Israel to - as he said - breathe life into Berlin's young city partnership with Tel Aviv.

Two pro-Palestinian demonstrations registered

A pro-Palestinian meeting was registered at Checkpoint Charlie - but it takes place every Wednesday. Around 70 people came to see her in the afternoon. The other demo registered for that day had attracted more attention in advance: On Wednesday evening there will also be an anti-Israel demo that runs from Kreuzberg to Neukölln. It was registered with 150 participants, and according to rbb information, around 250 participants were there shortly after the start. The demo was registered with the title: "Down with Colonialism" (German: down with colonization). There are calls for this on the Internet with the slogan: “Until total liberation” (German: until complete liberation).

Broadcast: rbb 88.8, October 7th, 2026, 3:30 p.m. Audio: rbb 88.8, October 7th, 2026, Natascha Gutschmidt / Juliane Kowollik