German activists block arms factories over weapons exports to Israel

Pro-Palestinian activists blocked entrances to several German arms manufacturing sites on Tuesday, protesting the country’s continued weapons exports to Israel, Anadolu reports.

The coordinated sit-ins were organized by the group Peacefully Against Genocide.

Protesters targeted multiple locations of weapons manufacturers, including Rheinmetall facilities and a General Dynamics site.

In Berlin, demonstrators staged a sit-in in front of Rheinmetall’s plant in Wedding.

Laila Fuisz of Peacefully Against Genocide said in a statement that for three years people in Palestine have been killed daily.

“For three years Israel has been committing a genocide against Palestinians,” she said.

Despite that, the German government continues to approve weapons deliveries to Israel and companies such as Rheinmetall produce at full speed, Fuisz stressed.

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“International law clearly prohibits participation in genocide through weapons deliveries, but that does not stop the state from continuing to deliver weapons,” she said.

“We are blocking weapons factories because it is necessary – not to break a law, but to defend the rights of all and protect human lives.”

Another protesters, Bedia Ozakyol, said she joined because her heart breaks every day when she hears that children in Gaza are killed by Israeli soldiers,

“My children are growing up in a world where this is supposed to be normal. I cannot accept that,” she said, according to the statement. “I cannot stand by and watch as states enable the death of children. That is why I am sitting here, for all children.”

Another protester quoted in the statement said deadly weapons were being touted as progress. “Is it progress when a weapon injures more severely and kills faster? I find that unbearable,” the activist said. “This happens in the middle of our city while families in Palestine lie under rubble.”

Further anti-genocide protests are planned across the country.

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