For the next few weeks, the major anti-war protests in Germany have been planned.
More than 10,000 people already gathered in front of the world famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin as a rally on 13 September, “stop the massacre in Gaza.”
Russia’s illegal was against Ukraine, so brought people out to perform.
The most prominent speaker present was politician Sahara Wagonchecch, who was one of the organizers of the performance and the founder of the political party, economically leftist, politically conservative Sahara Wagonchechet alliance.
Several famous artists were taken on stage, including actor Diet Holvordan, composer Peter Maaf, and Rappers Masiv and Bausa.
The very diverse group was united in its clear message for the federal government: “Provide active and meaningful support for peace talks in both the Middle East and Ukraine.”
The protesters asked the war areas to stop the delivery of all arms.
“We are all here because we are raising our voice against inhuman wars in this world,” Wagenknecht said. “So we respect the terrible massacre made by Hamas and the hostage.”
But none of them “indiscriminately bombing, murder, dying of hunger, and displacing two million people in Gaza Strip, half of which are children,” said the politician.
For peace talks, arms against delivery
Can this be the beginning of a new peace movement that is capable of raising mass?
German history provides many potential similarities: such as in the 1980s, when the fear of the nuclear war attracted half a million protesters at Hoffgurt Park in Bonn, who was still in the western part of a divided Germany.
Or in 2003, when a large crowd in the form of crowds took to the streets of Berlin in protest against Iraq.
Jennis Grim believes that a new, powerful movement is likely, but thinks that it is unlikely at this time.
Grimm is a peace and conflict researcher at Berlin’s Open University and is currently looking at the emergence of many different initiatives and alliances.
However, he said in an interview with DW, he still lacks a common target.
“It is opposite to what was happening against the Iraq war, for example, or even during the peace movement before that time. At this time, it is relatively fragmented.
Sahara is the most prominent and most controversial person of the Wagonacchat movement.
In 2023, a year after the war began in Ukraine, she organized a rally in collaboration with women’s rights activist Ellis Schwarzer.
Critics accused both of being sympathetic to Russia or President Vladimir Putin.
This time, Wagenknecht’s rally is once again attracting criticism.
Joseph Shoster, president of the Jewish Central Council in Germany, has accused him of fueling “hatred with Israel in Germany” but with fuel.
Socialist Left Party co-president Jan Van Aken did not go far, but he criticized the performance in an interview with DW: “I believe political work should include more and more people. And for me, just focusing on a flock is not political work.”
On September 27, in his demo in Berlin, Van Aken and his party expected to do different things and, in his view, better: “We have formed to combine with non-governmental organizations and Palestinian organizations. We have to bring all together: Important Israel, Jewish Israel.”
Debate on compulsory military service collects young people
Whether this approach will be successful or not is something that the Left party leader is eager to detect the iceberg.
As he says, Himafa is a child of the peace movement of the 1980s. But he believes that there is an issue that can gather a large number of people: compulsory military service.
“This can be a big issue because it directly affects many youth, who can take the streets to protest.”
If the protest spreads from the Internet on the streets, the optimism of the van Anene can be justified.
Currently there is an online petition that revolves on the Internet that was initiated by a young person: “No compulsory military service for young people without saying a one!”
As of 26 September, more than 70,000 people have already signed the petition.
‘Germany is a completely pacifist country’
The Left Party sees a debate on compulsory military service as a major issue.
Party leader Van Aquen says, “This is a real delicate issue, and it will determine the future of military in Germany.” In the last 40 years, they say, Germany has always managed to keep it in the Gulf. “Germany is a well -pacifist country. But at the moment, the tide is gymnasium,” they are afraid.
Researchers of peace and conflict Janis Grim believe that it is possible that terrorists and uniquely protests against the return of mandatory military service will become more popular.
Currently, the leftist view is highly fragmented. The most active group is the Left party and an alliance founded by Sahara Wagonacchat (BSW), which is formed after being divided by the leftist party.
Protest researcher Grim says, “It has created a situation where there is no party that clearly overlaps with the movement on the streets.”
Nevertheless, resistance is clearly increasing, and it can reach a high point on 3 October.
As the date recalling the reunion of Germany, it is a highly symbolic day. Large performances want to be together in Berlin and Stutgart.
More than 400 initiatives, organizations and parties have joined the call. Slogan: “Never ready for war! Let’s stand for peace!”
This article was original in German.
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