The key facts

  • On 20 October, activists from Peacefully Against Genocide blocked entrances to several German arms plants, including Rheinmetall and General Dynamics.
  • In Berlin, the action took place at the Rheinmetall plant in the Wedding district.
  • Organizers said protests against arms supplies to Israel will continue across Germany.

Coordinated actions at arms plants

On Tuesday, 20 October, pro-Palestinian activists blocked entrances to several German arms manufacturing enterprises, protesting against the ongoing arms supplies to Israel. The coordinated sit-in protests were organized by the group Peacefully Against Genocide. Demonstrators came to several sites of arms manufacturers, including Rheinmetall facilities and a General Dynamics site. In Berlin, the action took place at the Rheinmetall plant in the Wedding district.

Statements by participants

Layla Fuis of Peacefully Against Genocide stated that, in her words, people have been dying daily in Palestine for three years, and called what is happening a genocide of Palestinians by Israel. She emphasized that, despite this, the German government continues to approve arms supplies to Israel, while companies such as Rheinmetall are operating at full capacity. 'International law explicitly prohibits participation in genocide through arms supplies, but this does not stop the state from continuing the supplies,' the agency quoted her as saying. According to her, the activists are blocking the plants 'to protect the rights of all and to preserve human lives'.

Motives of the protesters and further plans

Another participant, Bedia Ozakyol, said she joined the action because it pains her to hear about children dying in Gaza at the hands of Israeli soldiers. 'My children are growing up in a world where this is considered normal. I cannot accept this,' her statement was quoted as saying. Another protester, mentioned in the statement, said that lethal weapons are presented as progress: 'Is it progress when weapons wound more severely and kill faster? I find this unbearable. This is happening in the middle of our city, while families in Palestine lie under the rubble.' Organizers reported that further anti-genocide protests are planned across the country.