There was an unexpectedly large turnout on Sept. 27, for the “All Eyes on Gaza” demonstration against genocide, with more than 100,000 people in the streets of central Berlin. This would more than double Germany’s previously largest Gaza demonstration. Placards included (in translation) “Gaza—Stop the Massacre” and “Never Again for Everyone.” Demonstrators demanded was an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel, EU sanctions against Israel, and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
An initiator of “All Eyes on Gaza,” Jewish violinist Michael Barenboim, is the concertmaster of the Israeli-Palestinian orchestra founded by his father, conductor Daniel Barenboim. His West-Eastern Divan Orchestra has been famous for having Israelis and Palestinians making music together. Michael Barenboim addressed the demonstration and also told Berlin broadcaster rbb24: “‘All Eyes on Gaza’ aims to make the protest against the genocide in Gaza visible on the streets. I don’t consider that a drastic description, because it’s the term used by almost all human rights organizations and nearly all experts. Preventing and punishing genocide is the duty of us all.”
He cited the Oct. 9, 2023 declaration of Israel’s then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: “No water, no food, no electricity, no petrol. These are human animals and we are acting accordingly.” Barenboim added: “Israel’s intention to destroy the Palestinians as a national group, in whole or in part, has been visible to the whole world.” But Germany is also complicit. He said that the perpetration of war crimes and the sadistic joy of Israeli criminals in their deeds would not be possible without the military, logistical, and diplomatic support of states such as Germany. That is why Germany is being charged before the UN’s International Court of Justice for complicity in genocide.
