Thousands gathered in Munich, Germany on Saturday to call for an end to the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the fighting in the Middle East. The protest was organized by the ver.di trade union, which utilized the slogan “You will not prepare me for war.” Demonstrators urged the German government to halt weapons shipments to Israel and Ukraine, requesting that the funds allocated be redirected toward domestic social needs.
Footage from Ruptly video agency captured images of protesters waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags, as well as carrying banners reading: “No 100 billion for armaments and war,” “Stop the genocide in Gaza,” and “Free Palestine.” Some placards specifically referenced tensions between Moscow and Kiev, with one stating: “No Taurus missiles in Ukraine.” The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been hesitant to provide long-range Taurus missiles to Kiev due to the potential risks of escalation.
An inflatable sculpture displaying arms holding a broken machine gun was set up at Odeonsplatz in central Munich during the protest. Claudia Weber, the managing director of ver.di Munich, told the gathered crowd that the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon were “unacceptable.” Weber further emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire between Hamas, Hezbollah, and Israel, as well as for all warring parties to stop firing on civilian populations.
We do not want to become capable of war, but capable of peace,” another speaker from the Munich Peace Alliance stated, calling for “a ceasefire and negotiations immediately for Ukraine and the Middle East.” In 2024, Germany’s arms exports to Israel reached €326.5 million ($363.5 million), a tenfold increase compared to 2022. However, these exports dramatically declined in the first eight months of this year, falling to just €14.5 million.
The German government has allocated €28 billion for military assistance to Ukraine. Chancellor Scholz recently pledged an additional €1.4 billion in aid during his meeting with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, stating that Germany is the strongest military supporter of Ukraine within Europe and will continue to be so. However, Moscow has warned that weapons deliveries from the US and EU nations to Kiev will not prevent Russia from achieving its military goals but will only prolong the fighting and increase the likelihood of direct confrontation with NATO. Russian officials argue that by providing arms, sharing intelligence, and training Ukrainian troops, Western nations have become de-facto parties in the ongoing conflict.