Large-scale police operation: protest against anti-Semitism in Halle!

Large-scale police operation: protest against anti-Semitism in Halle!

On Saturday afternoon, Halle's city center was marked by a massive police presence, but the officers were not there because Halleschen FC was playing at the same time. A pro-Palestinian demonstration entitled "Palestinian lives matter. From the river to the sea" was scheduled to take place at Rannish Square, but was banned. Despite the ban, some people associated with the Students for Palestine group remained nearby.

The Alliance Against Anti-Semitism organized a rally at Franckeplatz, but it was initially characterized by confusion. The originally assigned location could not be used because the site now belongs to the Francke Foundations and is therefore considered private property. After these formalities were clarified, a speaker criticized the social media statements of the Students for Palestine, which described the October 7, 2023 massacre as a “resistance.” He emphasized that Israel's right to self-defense and the right to Jewish life must be defended everywhere. “Anti-Semitic agitation must not become normal,” he shouted to the crowd.

Strong words against anti-Semitism

Another speaker from the Young Forum of the German-Israeli Society warned urgently: “Anti-Semitism not only destroys Jewish life, but the foundations of our democracy.” He recalled that history should teach us that anti-Semitism and democracy are incompatible. “He is here among us,” he added, criticizing the Students for Palestine for their role in spreading hatred and incitement against Israel and Jews. The relativization of terror and the adoption of the propaganda of HAMAS and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are alarming. It is particularly worrying that academic and cultural institutions serve as platforms for such ideologies. He therefore demanded that universities and cultural institutions must decisively prevent anti-Semitic activities.