More than 12,000 people staged a mass rally in Berlin on Saturday to protest against the German government's arms supplies to Israel and to oppose Israel's ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip. Gathering at the landmark Brandenburg Gate, demonstrators called on the German government to completely halt arms exports to Israel and to increase pressure on the Israeli government to stop military operations in Gaza. The rally was initiated by Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the German political party Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, along with several well-known musicians and public figures. Delivering a speech at the rally, Wagenknecht said Germany should completely halt all arms deliveries to Israel, rather than merely restricting those allegedly used in Gaza, stressing that this reflects the strong demand of the majority of the German people. "Germany should point out that the genocide should stop. Germany should clearly halt all arms supplies. Politicians should stand up and make sure the conflict ends as soon as possible. Palestine should be recognized as a state," a protester said. "German Chancellor Merz was recently asked whether Germany would recognize the State of Palestine. He said Germany has not yet made a statement on this matter. I believe Palestine's statehood must be recognized. Nor will Israel have peace until it is," another demonstrator noted. Some demonstrators also voiced concern that the escalation of Israel's military operations in Gaza is being backed by the United States. "All of us support peace. The consequences of Israel's military actions in Gaza are shocking. I think if the U.S. could shoulder more of its responsibility, it should exert influence on Israel, especially on those aggressive groups constantly waging wars. That is my view, and I think it is shared by many people here," one of the demonstrators said. The video shows: Berlin, Germany - Sept 13, 2025 1. Various of protesters holding placards, banners, flags; chanting slogans 2. SOUNDBITE (German) Protester (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 3): "Germany should point out that the genocide should stop. Germany should clearly halt all arms supplies. Politicians should stand up and make sure the conflict ends as soon as possible. Palestine should be recognized as a state." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 3. Protesters ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 4. SOUNDBITE (German) Protester (name not given): "German Chancellor Merz was recently asked whether Germany would recognize the State of Palestine. He said Germany has not yet made a statement on this matter. I believe Palestine's statehood must be recognized. Nor will Israel have peace until it is." 5. Various of protesters holding placards, banners, flags; chanting slogans 6. SOUNDBITE (German) Protester (name not given): "All of us support peace. The consequences of Israel's military actions in Gaza are shocking. I think if the U.S. could shoulder more of its responsibility, it should exert influence on Israel, especially on those aggressive groups constantly waging wars. That is my view, and I think it is shared by many people here." 7. Various of protesters holding placards, banners, flags; chanting slogans [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]