This weekend, Berlin turned into a battlefield of chaos during pro-Palestinian protests that grabbed global attention. German police detained dozens of people during peaceful rallies supporting the residents of the Gaza Strip, who have been suffering the horrors of war since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Viral videos on social media show police often using excessive force, including rough arrests and maneuvers like the so-called “neck collar” hold. Among those detained were elderly women, and one young man was even pushed during arrest.
These protests are not just local events—they are part of a global wave of solidarity with the people of Gaza, where children are dying of hunger and mothers are malnourished. An Israeli soldier admitted that civilians in Gaza are “arbitrarily killed,” fueling anger and sorrow worldwide. People in Gaza lack access to food, medicine, and basic aid due to the Israeli blockade, while daily shelling continues.
At protests in Berlin and Hamburg on July 5, at least 18 people were arrested, and demonstrators requested that women stay on the outskirts of the protests, likely for safety reasons. Although the gatherings were mostly peaceful, police responded decisively and often brutally, sparking a wave of criticism and questions about the limits of police repression in democratic countries.
This situation sheds light on a deeper problem: how peaceful protests turn into chaos when authorities decide to use force, and how global conflicts reflect on the streets of European cities. Is this a sign that the world is losing patience, or just another proof that people are ready to fight for justice, no matter the cost? If you have thoughts, maybe it’s time to share them—because topics like this shouldn’t stay silent!
