UPDATE – More than 100,000 rally in Berlin against German support for Israeli genocide in Gaza

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By Oliver Towfigh Nia and Ilayda Cakirtekin

BERLIN/ISTANBUL (AA) – More than 100,000 people rallied Saturday in Berlin, protesting German support for Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Demonstrators reportedly marched from Berlin's City Hall to a rally at the Grosser Stern after a broad coalition of around 50 groups, including pro-Palestinian organizations, Medico International, Amnesty International and the opposition Left Party, called for the large demonstration.

Organizers of the "All eyes on Gaza-Stop the genocide" mass rally demanded “an end to German complicity” for Israel's genocidal war in the Palestinian enclave.

They also called for “an end to all military cooperation with Israel. This includes the import, export, and transit of weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment.”

“The Israeli government's actions have long been described as genocide by experts and international organizations, and the International Court of Justice is investigating them as such. While everyone can see how the Israeli military is committing mass atrocities in Gaza, the German government denies the systematic violence,” organizers said in a statement.

The crowd chanted "Free, free Palestine" and "Viva Palestine" and held up posters that said "Stop the genocide in Gaza," "Never again for all," and "Freedom for Palestine." Many protesters also waved Palestinian flags.

They called for an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel, access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, and EU sanctions against Israel.

Addressing the crowd, Left Party chairwoman Ines Schwerdtner spoke of genocide in Gaza and of the German government's complicity.

"Chancellor (Friedrich Merz) and ministers talk, but they don't act. They talk of 'reasons of state,' while hospitals are reduced to rubble. They remain silent about the genocide—and are complicit," she said.

A new survey released on Tuesday showed 62% of German voters believe Israeli actions in Gaza constitute genocide, putting mounting pressure on the center-right government to reassess its stance toward Israel.

The representative poll conducted by YouGov showed that the sentiment crosses political lines, with 60% of voters from Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc viewing Israel's military campaign as genocide against Palestinians. Among voters of coalition partner Social Democratic Party (SPD), the figure was even higher at 71%.

While Chancellor Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul have recently sharpened their criticism of Israel's military offensive and blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, they have so far avoided using the term "genocide," referring instead to "disproportionate" use of force by the Israeli military.