Status: 24.10.2023, 11:17 a.m.
By: Anna Laura Müller
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The president of the German-Israeli Society appeals to climate activists to suspend actions. He sees the safety of Jews at risk.
Berlin – The climate activists of the "Last Generation" have again blocked road traffic in Berlin with several actions at the beginning of the week, causing displeasure at the German-Israeli Society (DIG). DIG President Volker Beck appealed to the activists to refrain from such actions in the current situation. "The Berlin police are at their limit," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. "Actions that tie up many police forces are now irresponsible and thus indirectly endanger the safety of Jews. Don't do that!".
Road blockades are one of the actions of the climate activists of the "Last Generation". © T.Seeliger/Imago
Police are at their limit because of pro-Hamas demonstrations – that's why climate stickers should stop protests
Beck justifies his call with the personnel situation of the police, which is already no longer able to simultaneously prevent pro-Hamas demonstrations or to contain violence at them and to adequately protect synagogues and other Jewish institutions. According to the police, around 24 emergency personnel were on the road during the actions of the climate stickers on Monday (200 October) to quickly remove the road blockades of the climate protest group. For next Saturday, the climate activists have announced a mass occupation of the Straße des 17. Juni in Berlin-Mitte. Just recently, three activists were sentenced to several months in prison for blockade actions.
DIG President Volker Beck was a speaker at the solidarity rally for Israel in Berlin on Sunday. © Bernd Elmenthaler/Imago
Anti-Semitic attacks in Germany have skyrocketed since Hamas' attack on Israel. According to a report by the Research and Information Centre on Anti-Semitism (Rias) on 20 October, incidents in Berlin alone tripled compared to the same period last year. According to the authors of the report, the number of unreported cases is probably even higher.
"Last Generation" has already suspended protests
The Climate Glue had already paused its protests when Hamas announced a worldwide call for violence against Jews. The activists announced on October 12 on X that they were suspending the protest, which had been planned for the next day. "Deeply dismayed by the calls to carry out attacks on Jews worldwide tomorrow, we do not want to tie up police forces that are expected to be needed to protect lives. We have informed the police about it," the climate activists said. To Volker Beck's request to pause the protests again, there has been no reaction from the "Last Generation" so far.
Just last Sunday, thousands of people demonstrated in Berlin against anti-Semitism and for solidarity with Israel. At the rally, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on all citizens in Germany to protect Jewish life in the country. (alm/dpa
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