Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through Berlin on Saturday, protesting Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza and urging the German government to end all military cooperation with Israel.
The rally was organized by groups including the Palestinians in Germany and the country's Left Party (Die Linke). Organizers accused Israel of launching a genocide in Gaza, calling on Berlin to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and to press for a lasting ceasefire in the enclave.
"I've always cared about politics and social justice, and the Palestinian issue is clearly at the center of it. I believe there's no greater injustice in today's world," a protester said.
"I came all the way from Munich to make my stance clear. As Germans, given our history and the genocide we committed, we should even more firmly oppose any form of genocide," said another demonstrator.
This Monday, a group of European countries, including France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Malta and Monaco, recognized the State of Palestine at the 80th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held in New York.
However, Germany has not yet recognized Palestine, despite its reiterated support for a two-state solution.
Germany, along with Hungary and Italy, has also hindered the European Commission's proposed sanctions on certain Israeli ministers, settlers and related entities, which require a qualified majority to take effect.
Protests in Berlin against genocide in Gaza, calls for end to military cooperation with Israel
Protests in Berlin against genocide in Gaza, calls for end to military cooperation with Israel
Protests in Berlin against genocide in Gaza, calls for end to military cooperation with Israel
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
