Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Mannheim, Germany, in a powerful show of solidarity with Gaza on Sunday, denouncing the ongoing Israeli genocide and famine in the besieged enclave, and calling for an end to Germany’s political, military, and economic complicity.

The march, organized by Zaytuna, Free Palestine, and SFR Heidelberg, began at Alte Feuerwache Square and made its way to Marktplatz, one of the city’s busiest areas, drawing widespread public attention. Protesters carried Palestinian flags, banners, and placards condemning Israel’s atrocities and demanding accountability from German authorities.

“Famine is being presented as a natural disaster, but it is a war crime”

Speaking at the event, Selma from Zaytuna addressed the crowd, highlighting both the brutality of Israel’s actions and the failure of the international community to intervene.

“We are on the 664th day of the Gaza genocide,” she declared. “Israel’s ministers openly call for extermination — Amichai Eliyahu said, ‘We are destroying evil’; Yoav Gallant described Palestinians as ‘animal-humans’; Moshe Saada demanded that the entire population of Gaza be eliminated. These are criminal declarations under international law.”

Selma criticized the way the crisis is reported in Western media. “Now the media talks about ‘famine’ as if it were a natural disaster. But this hunger is deliberate, systematic, and organized. It is part of Israel’s war strategy. This is a war crime. Silence is not neutrality — it is complicity. Genocide demands accountability, and we must name the perpetrators.”

Huriye from Free Palestine called on Germans to take concrete action through boycotts of companies linked to Israel.

“In a world where children are dying and civilians are denied basic rights, silence is complicity,” she said. “Palestine is not just a political issue — it is a test of humanity. Boycott is not optional, it is a moral duty. If you are still selling boycotted products, you are bringing the blood of Gaza’s children into your home. Do you think they will forgive those who profit from their blood? Those who remain silent are also accomplices.”

Sarina from SFR Heidelberg exposed the ties between German academic institutions and Israeli universities involved in the occupation.

“Heidelberg University collaborates with Hebrew University, built on the ruins of Palestinian villages,” Sarina revealed. “German students are housed in dormitories on the site of the destroyed village of El-Isawiya. Tel Aviv University, working with Mannheim University, provides consultancy to the Israeli army. This is not academic freedom — it is military collaboration. True academic freedom is impossible under occupation. We will continue to fight until these partnerships end.”

The event concluded with the recitation of Dr. Mahmud Abu Odeh’s poem Zu schweigen in diesen Tagen… by Theodora, followed by strong calls for Germany to immediately halt arms exports to Israel and strengthen academic and economic boycotts in solidarity with Palestine.

Protesters vowed to maintain pressure on German institutions and the government until the genocide in Gaza ends and the siege is lifted. (ILKHA)