SWC Strongly Condemns Anti-Israel Motorcade in Berlin

December 19, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) strongly condemns Sunday's anti-Israel motorcade that took place in Berlin. This deeply troubling incident, which involved 750 people in 500 vehicles, is not only an act of hostility against Israel but also a blatant and provocative display of anti-Semitism. 

Participants in the motorcade, which was disingenuously titled a "peace motorcade," drove past the Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe, raising "Palestine" flags and shouting anti-Semitic slurs, including "Allahu Akbar" and "Fuck Israel!"

Such actions represent a profound disrespect for the memory of Holocaust victims and the ongoing struggles of the Jewish community against hatred and bigotry. 

The SWC is especially appalled that this demonstration took place in the capital of Germany, which during the Nazi era was the seat of power of the Nazi Third Reich and the unleashing of the Holocaust and the disastrous WWII. The evil choice of the route in front of Memorial to the 6 million murdered Jews in the Shoah is a despicable provocation and a desecration of Memory. 

Furthermore, the aggressive behavior towards journalists reporting on the event, including verbal abuse and physical threats, is an attack on the freedom of the press and democratic values. 

“The SWC calls on leaders across Europe and the world to recognize the seriousness of this disgraceful incident and unequivocally condemn such displays of antisemitism and hate. This motorcade should never have been permitted by German authorities,” declared Rabbi Abraham Cooper,  SWC Associate Dean snd Global Social Action Director.

“We urge German authorities to take decisive action against the perpetrators of this event. It is imperative that those who engage in hate speech and incite violence are held accountable for their actions. Tolerance of such behavior only emboldens antisemitic sentiment and undermines the principles of democracy and threatens the future of the Jewish community in Europe,” said Daniel Schuster, Senior Representative Europe of the SWC.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).