Berlin authorities to crack down on anti-Semitism at October 7 events

Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger has announced a crackdown on anti-Semitism ahead of the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.

“My position is clear: hatred, defamation and anti-Semitism do not belong on the streets of Berlin,” Spranger told dpa on Saturday, as the city prepared for rival demonstrations, prompting a large-scale police operation to keep the peace.

Police officers in the German capital have been instructed to pursue any criminal offences at the rallies.

“We will do everything we can to ensure that demonstrations around October 7 can be carried out peacefully and safely,” she said.

The senator also called on participants to “express their opinions, their personal concerns and their protests peacefully, respectfully and without violence.”