Wave of protests in Berlin: Hundreds demonstrate against the Gaza flotilla stop

Wave of protests in Berlin: Hundreds demonstrate against the Gaza flotilla stop

On Thursday evening, October 11, 2025, several hundred people gathered in Berlin to demonstrate against Israel's stopping of a Gaza aid fleet. According to police, up to 800 people took part in the protest, which began peacefully. However, some participants blocked tram tracks on Alexanderplatz, which led to tensions with emergency services. As the police cleared the tracks, bottles were thrown at the officers, resulting in the arrest of around 50 people.

Before the demonstration, there were further riots when five people daubed the entrance area of ​​the Foreign Office with red paint. Three women and two men were arrested in scuffles with police officers, including for attacking a police officer. These protests are part of a larger international movement against Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip, which has captured more than 400 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg and her colleagues were brought to safety, report the activists in the relief fleet.

International protests and violent accusations

The activists of the Global Sumud Flotilla had set themselves the goal of bringing aid to the population in the Gaza Strip affected by Israel. But the Israeli navy stopped the flotilla, which had approached within 70 to 80 nautical miles of the Gaza Strip, and took the passengers to an Israeli port. While Israel describes the flotilla as a provocation, the activists accuse the country of violating international law and war crimes. The Turkish government condemned the operation and described it as an “act of terror” in international waters.

Protests took place in numerous cities around the world. In Spain alone, tens of thousands demonstrated against the actions of the Israeli navy. Demonstrations were also recorded in Rome, Dublin, Paris, The Hague and Buenos Aires, with participants denouncing Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip and calling for the severance of diplomatic relations. A manifesto was read out in Madrid that said: “If they attack the flotilla, they will attack us all.”

The fall of the auxiliary fleet and its supporters

The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of around 40 boats, wanted to bring food, baby food and medicine to the Gaza Strip. Activists described the violent arrest as illegal and marked by piracy. Several prominent figures were part of the convoy, including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela. The Israeli special forces boarded the boats and took into custody more than 400 crew members from various countries.

The situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened as Israel continues to carry out military operations despite the highest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur. According to Palestinian sources, at least 37 people have already been killed in the attacks. Israel plans to deport the detained activists to Europe, but many accuse the country of challenging the international community and violating international law.

The emerging tensions and reactions to events surrounding the aid fleet highlight global concerns about the conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. While solidarity with activists grows worldwide, questions about the impact of Israel's actions and the fate of the arrested activists remain unresolved.

You can find more information about the protests at rbb24, SWP and Time.