Germany: protest against the official visit of the Israeli Prime Minister

Audio 01:43

Protest at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reform, visiting Berlin, Germany, Thursday, March 16, 2023. AP - Steffi Loos

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1 min

Benjamin Netanyahu began a three-day official visit to Berlin on Wednesday (March 15th), despite widespread criticism of the reforms he wants to undertake in Israel. More than 10,000 Israelis live in Berlin, many of them young. Several hundred of them had gathered Thursday afternoon at the Brandenburg Gate to protest against reforms in Israel.

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With our correspondent in Berlin, Nathalie Versieux

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Democracy Democracy," a small crowd holding signs in Hebrew, English and German, gathered in the heart of Berlin to protest Netanyahu's visit to the German capital, and to shout its opposition to the reforms.

Hannah, 70, explains her presence in the demonstration: "I am here to protest against the reform of Justice, but not only. Religiously, Israel has become extremist. This government adopts religious laws like the Taliban, really!

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I think Scholz should do what the Americans did and say 'no, we don't want to see it'. Biden doesn't want to meet with him. And Netanyahu is coming to Europe because European leaders are meeting him," said Samuel, 54.

"My girlfriend and I are both half Israelis half German, we live here in Berlin. Our parents demonstrate every week in Israel against the reform of the justice system. The least we can do when Netanyahu comes to Berlin and Scholz agrees to return to his propaganda is to take to the streets! " says David, 24.

Many are disappointed by a modest mobilization. The police supervision is impressive, while another demonstration, this time bringing together Palestinians from Berlin, was held the same morning, a few steps away.

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Read on on the same topics:

• Germany
• Israel
• Benjamin Netanyahu