Hundreds gathered in Mannheim’s Marktplatz Square for a powerful demonstration organized by the civil society movement Zeytuna, standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing an unprecedent genocide in Gaza.

The rally, marked by emotional speeches and defiant chants of “Free Palestine” and “Israel is an apartheid state,” powerfully condemned the Israeli occupation while sharply criticizing Western governments—particularly Germany—for their political and military support of Israel.

Held in defiance of growing state repression and the escalating censorship of pro-Palestinian activism in Germany, the protest brought together a broad and diverse coalition: Palestinian voices, Jewish anti-Zionist activists, German human rights defenders, and concerned citizens united in solidarity.

More than just a protest, the event served as both a forceful denunciation of Israel’s brutal, months-long siege of Gaza and a direct challenge to Germany’s unwavering support for the occupation, which many speakers openly described as complicity in the ongoing genocide.

“They Kill Us in Gaza and Silence Us in Germany”

The protest began with an emotional speech by Selma, a speaker who addressed the crowd as a mother and Muslim. “I cannot sleep while mothers in Gaza are burying their children every night,” she said, drawing attention to the unbearable suffering faced by Palestinian families.

Selma condemned both the inaction of Muslim-majority states and the West’s active role in enabling the war on Gaza. She accused Germany of hypocrisy, citing its crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism while continuing to arm Israel.

“Those who kill us in Gaza are also silencing us here,” she warned. “They don’t just fear Gaza’s resistance — they fear the truth being spoken in Europe.”

Palestinian Academic: “Germany is Betraying ‘Never Again’”

Dr. Abdullah Abdulhadi, a Palestinian academic speaking on behalf of Zeytuna, delivered a stark message: “As I speak, my own family is being slaughtered in Gaza.”

He accused Germany of betraying its post-Holocaust commitment of “Nie wieder” (“Never again”), arguing that Berlin’s military and political support for Israel was enabling mass atrocities. “You said ‘Never Again.’ But today, you are helping create another genocide — with your weapons, your silence, your complicity,” he said.

Jewish Anti-Zionist Voices Speak Out

In a display of unity across religious and cultural lines, Jewish speakers took the stage to denounce Zionism and Germany’s misuse of Holocaust memory.

Theodora, representing Die Jüdische Stimme (The Jewish Voice), challenged Germany’s political establishment: “They told us after World War II: ‘Never Again’. But genocide is happening again — and Germany is once again complicit.” She condemned the criminalization of Palestinian solidarity and pledged continued resistance. “No matter what they arrest us for — Gaza will be free.”

Fellow Jewish activist Hadas Leonov compared the Gaza catastrophe to the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. “Srebrenica was a horror. But Gaza has already surpassed it,” she said. “And the world is once again standing silent, even justifying it.” She also revealed that two Israeli soldiers involved in war crimes had recently been arrested in Belgium — a development she said offers a glimmer of justice.

Journalist Heba Jamal: “Germany Chose Genocide Over Justice”

Palestinian journalist Heba Jamal, speaking in English, moved the crowd to tears as she recounted the death of her cousins from starvation in Gaza.

“Mannheim, pick a side — justice or genocide,” she pleaded, condemning Germany’s policies. “Germany’s silence is not neutrality — it’s complicity. And it is shameful.”

German Antifascist Activist on Trial for Gaza Solidarity

The rally concluded with a defiant speech by Janick, a well-known German antifascist activist facing prosecution for his outspoken support for Palestine. “It is people who have rights, not states,” he said. “And those who destroy human rights — whether in Berlin or Tel Aviv — have no right to exist.”

He revealed that he has been summoned to appear in court on August 28, charged for his solidarity work, and urged the public to stand with him.

Defying Silence, Amplifying Resistance

The protest in Mannheim was not simply a gathering; it was a declaration of moral resistance in a country where pro-Palestinian speech is increasingly suppressed. Organizers and participants accused the German government of silencing dissent, criminalizing solidarity, and shielding Israel from accountability.

Despite heavy surveillance, intimidation, and legal threats, the demonstrators pledged to continue their efforts.

“This is not just about Palestine,” said one attendee. “It’s about the future of humanity. If we let Gaza die, we let humanity die with it.”

The Zeytuna-led protest reflected a growing wave of resistance in European cities, where ordinary citizens — including many Jews — are challenging the official narratives and calling for an end to Western complicity in Gaza’s suffering. (ILKHA)