Munich Residents Form Human Chain to Shield Synagogue from Anti-Israel Protest

As antisemitic chants echoed through Munich’s city center during Shabbat prayers, hundreds of local residents stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a powerful act of solidarity. Forming a human chain around the city’s main synagogue at Jakobsplatz, they protected Jewish worshippers from an aggressive anti-Israel protest marching nearby.

On Friday evening, approximately 750 demonstrators rallied under the slogan “Stop the Genocide. Free Palestine,” in protest of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The demonstration, which took place within shouting distance of the synagogue, included chants such as “Death to the IDF,” “Zionists are fascists,” and “There is only one state: Palestine.” Several protesters denied the legitimacy of Israeli suffering and dismissed the hostage crisis as a fabrication.

Fearing for their safety, many Jewish community members refrained from attending Shabbat services. In response, hundreds of Munich residents answered the call to protect their Jewish neighbors by forming a protective chain under the banner “Protect Our Synagogue.” Local police later deployed around 150 officers to ensure the synagogue’s security.

One speaker at the protest condemned the human chain as a staged act by “friends of Zionists and fascists,” accusing participants of trying to “buy their freedom” from the crimes of their ancestors. Despite the verbal abuse, the counter-demonstrators remained peaceful and resolute.

Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Jewish Community of Munich and a Holocaust survivor, strongly criticized city authorities for allowing the protest to coincide with Shabbat. She hailed the actions of civil society groups such as “Munich is Colorful” and “Grandmothers Against the Right,” who helped mobilize the protective effort. “This human chain sends an important message,” she said. “Once again, they have proven they can be relied upon they take action when it matters.”

City Council Chairman Bernhard Liess also condemned the decision to permit a protest marked by antisemitic rhetoric during a sacred time for the Jewish community.

Germany has seen an alarming surge in antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas massacre in southern Israel. The Federal Research and Information Point for Antisemitism (RIAS) reported a record 8,627 antisemitic incidents in 2023 nearly double the previous year’s total. In Berlin alone, the number of incidents in the first half of 2024 exceeded the entire previous year’s count, averaging nearly eight anti-Jewish acts per day.

While police recorded over 5,000 antisemitic incidents in 2023, experts warn the actual number is likely higher, as many victims are reluctant to come forward.

In the face of rising hate, the people of Munich demonstrated that courage, unity, and moral clarity still endure. Their stand is a reminder that the fight against antisemitism belongs to everyone.

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