On the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, German President Steinmeier clearly sided with Israel. The city of Berlin sent a special message of solidarity with the hostages to the world that evening.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has warned against a hasty condemnation of Israel in light of the war in the Middle East. "Yes, I wish for an end to the dying in the Middle East, but I would like to urge that, in this desperate situation in the region, we not rely solely on simple, often simplistic advice," the head of state declared on Monday at an interfaith service in Berlin's Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church commemorating the victims of the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023.
“The deaths in Gaza, the hunger, the destruction would not have occurred without the attack and the massacres of October 7th of last year. Hamas not only knew that Israel would defend itself against a fundamental threat to its security, it was the terrorists’ cynical calculation to draw Israel into a war in Gaza; a war in which civilians were used as human shields for military positions and tens of thousands of innocent people lost their lives,” said Steinmeier.
"They must finally come home!"
With regard to the more than 100 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, the German Federal President emphasized that Germany is doing everything in its power to secure their release. "The release of the hostages must remain the highest priority. They must finally be able to return home. Those who were displaced by Hezbollah's daily barrage of rockets shortly after October 7th must also be able to return home." Tens of thousands of Israelis, fleeing a deadly threat, are currently housed somewhere in Israel because Hezbollah's attacks have made life and survival in the north impossible.
Steinmeier described October 7th as a watershed moment. This day triggered a profound trauma for Jews, not only in Israel, but throughout the world. "Israel was their safe haven; they knew, they felt, no matter what happened, we could always go to Israel." This knowledge has now been shattered, Steinmeier said. He further emphasized that Germany has a responsibility "to stand by Israel when the homeland of Jews is attacked and Israel's security and existence are threatened.".
Never tolerate hatred of Jews
Steinmeier sharply condemned the rising antisemitism in Germany. He expressed understanding for the pain, anger, and helplessness felt in the face of the war in the Middle East. "But however shaken we may be, we must not lose our bearings. We must not, in our turmoil, accept what is unacceptable. When Jewish homes are marked and defaced, when Molotov cocktails are thrown at synagogues, when Jewish students are threatened at their universities, when demonstrations call for a Middle East without Israel, then that is antisemitism, that is hatred of Jews, and we must never and will never tolerate it."
Protestant bishop: Hamas and Hezbollah responsible for suffering
The Bishop of the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia, Christian Stäblein, emphasized in his welcoming remarks that October 7th was still not over. There were still 101 hostages being held captive in the Gaza Strip. Addressing Alon Gat, a survivor of the massacre who was present, Stäblein said: “We are by your side, we weep with you, we cry out with you, and we ask with you. And we say, finally release the hostages. Put an end to the terror, now!”
The massacre of October 7th was unprecedented and unspeakable since the Holocaust. "But we must speak of it in order to confront those who deny it, who look down on the dead, or even who celebrate them."
Stäblein named the suffering of the Israelis, but also the suffering "of the many in Gaza, the tears of the children, the hunger, the destruction, the horrors, the dead – we weep with them, and yes, the suffering of the Palestinians and the people in Lebanon touches us." But all this suffering, Stäblein emphasized, "is the responsibility of Hamas and Hezbollah.".
Among those attending the memorial service were German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Israel's Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor. Following the ceremony, participants marched in a silent memorial procession to the Jewish Center on Fasanenstrasse.
Ambassador Prosor called for tougher prosecution of antisemitic incidents. "German legislation urgently needs to revise its definition of the red lines between freedom of expression and incitement," Prosor said.
Brandenburg Gate shines in Israel's national colors
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) assured Israel and the Jewish community in Germany of his city's solidarity. He emphasized that as long as there are hostages in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli flag will remain flying in front of the Red City Hall in Berlin.
The German capital sent another sign of solidarity with Israel this evening: For two hours, the Brandenburg Gate was illuminated in the colors of the Israeli flag. Messages demanding the immediate return of the hostages were displayed alongside the lights. Wegner stated: "Berlin is sending a message to the world that we stand with Israel, that we share the hope of the hostages' families, and that humanity and compassion will always be stronger than hatred."
