Further demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel and the war in Gaza were expected in Berlin on Sunday, with up to 270 police officers on duty, a spokeswoman said.
The main focus of the police operation is a pro-Palestinian march titled “Demo against Genocide in Gaza,” which could draw around 1,000 people.
The rally is due to begin in the diverse neighbourhood of Kreuzberg before arriving in the district of Neukölln, which has a large Arab community.
The weekend has seen a number of demonstrations held in connection with the conflict in the Middle East in the German capital. Some police officers were deployed on Saturday.
One pro-Palestine rally on Saturday attracted more than 1,000 participants, far more than the 300 organizers had expected.
While police reported isolated clashes and temporary detentions, they said the event was “largely peaceful.”
A separate pro-Israel protest, titled “Together against the Crimes of Hamas on Israelis and Palestinians. For the Release of Hostages and the End of Hamas Rule in Gaza,” is expected to draw 500 people in the central Mitte district on Sunday.
Alongside the rallies, prayers and vigils are planned in the city until the evening, for example in front of the Kreuzberg Synagogue.
