Berlin – A rapper, a comedian, and a top politician: all on one stage. The musician Massiv (42),"Didi" Hallervorden (90), and Sahra Wagenknecht (56) have joined forces in protesting against Israel. They led a large demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate today, which they expected to attract 15,000 participants. According to police, there were around 12,000.
What unites them? Do they really all want the same thing? And how much anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel are hidden in their protest?
Starting in the early afternoon, Palestinian flags mingled with peace doves and rainbow flags in the center of Berlin. Officially, the rally was supposed to be about a"world at peace." No one can object to that. The call, according to the slogan, was about"peace instead of an arms race." "No weapons in war zones," it said.
But above all, according to the call for the demonstration, the organizers clearly accuse Israel of committing"genocide" in Gaza. The brutal terror of Hamas, however, was not mentioned at all in the call for the demonstration.
Celebrities and thousands of people have now gathered under this"genocide" accusation: This may come as the least of a surprise when it comes to rapper Massiv. The Berliner with Palestinian roots has repeatedly expressed anti-Jewish and openly anti-Semitic views in the past. Today, he said he understands German solidarity with Israel, but"a friend" must also say: "This far and no further, brother!"
In 2015, for example, he released the rap song"Verurteilt," in which he glorified the Islamist Bilal Gümüs, one of Germany's most well-known Salafists, as a hero and portrayed him as a victim of racism. During the massive bombing attacks by the radical Islamist Hamas on Israel in 2021, Massiv claimed in an Instagram post that Israel was"salinizing" the Palestinians' drinking water.
The idea that Jews poison the public's drinking water or wells is a centuries-old antisemitic prejudice. In 2015, Massiv also spread conspiracy theories alleging that Israel was complicit in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
In another post from May 2021, Massiv posted a video claiming that “Jewish lynch mobs” in Israel were attacking Arab children and women, “beating them and even setting them on fire.”
Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters joins the line-up
Rapper Massiv was joined live at the demonstration by former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters (82). He has repeatedly drawn attention in the past for his fervent hatred of Israel. The musician actively supports the BDS campaign for Palestine and against Israel. This alliance, in turn, calls for"boycott, divestment, and sanctions" against Israel.
The Berlin public prosecutor's office had investigated Waters on suspicion of incitement to hatred. During a concert in May 2023, he appeared wearing a long, black leather coat and a red armband. This outfit was clearly reminiscent of Gestapo clothing in Nazi Germany. These proceedings have since been dropped.
At the demonstration, Waters called Zionism a"crime" and simultaneously spread copious amounts of Russian war propaganda.
In his entourage: Sahra Wagenknecht. In connection with the Israeli army's actions in the Gaza Strip, she openly speaks of an Israeli"campaign of annihilation." She has long since adopted the term "genocide" as her own.
However, she recognizes Israel's right to exist and is a supporter of a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine. Wagenknecht praises her"demo colleague" Massiv: "I find the way you engage politically and where you do it extremely exciting and very likeable," the politician told him in a livestream in February. She claims:"I would never join forces with someone who questions Israel's right to exist."
And "Didi" Hallervorden? He published a poem last year: In the three-minute video, the actor (including"Honig im Kopf") accuses the Jewish state of "apartheid" and accuses the Israeli government of "genocide." According to Hallervorden, all German political parties are in cahoots with Israel.
Who else was on stage?
Also appearing on the protest stage today were musician Bausa (36), TV presenter Daniel Aminati (52), and longtime ARD Russia correspondent Gabriele Krone-Schmalz (75).
Rapper Bausa from Saarbrücken, along with 200 other pop and rock artists, is one of the signatories of an open letter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (69), which states:"We, too, condemn the horrific crimes of Hamas in the strongest possible terms. But no crime legitimizes the collective punishment of millions of innocent people in the most brutal way."
Daniel Aminati called Israel's actions in Gaza "genocide" and received much applause for his actions. At least he also addressed the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. He added that the kidnapped Israeli hostages should not be forgotten."Their fate also demands our voice." He then sang two songs and left the stage with the words "Free Palestine." This slogan and battle cry is also used by radical groups that do not recognize Israel's right to exist.
At the beginning, the audience was mainly made up of supporters of Sahra Wagenknecht and her BSW.
At the same time, a pro-Israel counter-demonstration with around 100 people took place on the other side of the Brandenburg Gate. There were no prominent participants, but pro-Palestinian activists shouted insults:"Fuck you, Israel. Viva Palestine!"
