Around 750 people gathered in Frankfurt at an Al-Quds demonstration, organized by Islamist-extremist groups and known for its anti-Israel sentiments. At the same time, a counter-demonstration by the “Initiative 7. Oktober” condemning the dictatorship in Iran took place with around 100 participants. The main demonstration, themed “Stop the War,” marched from Kaisertor at the central station to a rally at Roßmarkt in the city center, under the organization of a private individual from Offenbach. However, the Jewish community and the Central Council of Jews in Germany criticized the event as promoting “blatant antisemitism.”
The Al-Quds demonstration, an annual event in Frankfurt since 2015, is state-organized in Iran and calls for the destruction of Israel in favor of a new Palestinian state. The Jewish community in Frankfurt and the Central Council of Jews in Germany expressed concerns over the rise in violence against Jews following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year. Antisemitism Commissioner Uwe Becker and Central Council President Josef Schuster called for a nationwide ban on such demonstrations, expressing disappointment over the lack of pre-emptive measures to prevent them.
The Frankfurt Al-Quds demonstration saw a peaceful turnout, with police monitoring for any potentially criminal behavior by participants. A simultaneous counter-demonstration aimed at highlighting the Iranian regime’s oppression and tyranny attracted a smaller crowd at Hauptwache, but final participant figures were uncertain. Participants in the main Al-Quds demonstration marched through the city center, with several other Al-Quds-related events taking place elsewhere in the city, emphasizing various aspects of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The demonstration in Frankfurt reflects a broader trend of Al-Quds gatherings around the world using the day for anti-Israel protests. While participants of the Al-Quds demonstration advocate for the Palestinian cause, critics argue that the event promotes hatred and antisemitism. Antisemitism Commissioner Becker and Jewish community leaders call for stricter measures to curtail such events and prevent the spread of anti-Israel sentiments. The discrepancy between freedom of expression and hate speech has raised concerns among authorities and advocates for Jewish communities in Germany.
The Al-Quds demonstration in Frankfurt highlights the ongoing tension between pro-Palestinian activists and supporters of Israel, illustrating the need for balanced discourse and understanding in discussing the Middle East conflict. While freedom of assembly is essential, concerns over hate speech and antisemitism provoke calls for stricter regulation of events that promote such ideologies. As debates continue on the Al-Quds day and its implications, the issue showcases the complexities of addressing sensitive political issues within a diverse and multicultural society.
