Across Europe, authorities are bracing for a wave of protests and violence as the first anniversary of the October 7th Hamas terror attacks on Israel approaches. Ministers and security forces in several countries have warned of heightened unrest in major cities as Islamists and their left-wing allies celebrate the attack and protest Israel’s response.
Demonstrations are planned across various European cities through next week, with the largest gatherings expected from October 5th to 7th. Demonstrators will converge in cities such as London, Berlin, Paris, and Rome, with events peaking on October 7th itself.
In Berlin, a march is scheduled from the Brandenburg Gate to Bebelplatz on October 6th. Die Welt reports that security forces have warned of potential overload due to the scale of protests. The German Police Union (GdP) has issued a stark warning, saying, “We are looking at the coming days with great concern,” said Benjamin Jendro, spokesman for the GdP in Berlin. He pointed to increasing antisemitic and violent incidents in recent days, linked to the pro-Palestinian movement.
The unrest will likely further strain Berlin’s police, who will also be dealing with a visit from U.S. President Joe Biden from October 10th. Jochen Kopelke, Federal Chairman of the GdP, has called for robust and decisive action to be taken against those inciting violence.
Beyond Germany, European security services are on high alert amid concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could inspire terrorist attacks within the European Union. Matteo Piantedosi, Italy’s Minister of the Interior, said that, ahead of the October 7th anniversary, Europe is on “high alert” for potential terror attacks. “This is not a normal situation,” Piantedosi added. “We are already in a condition of maximum prevention.”
He said agencies are coordinating to put together real-time information, “even more so as we approach Monday.”
France is also on alert. On Thursday, interior minister Bruno Retailleau sent a telegram to the country’s regional prefects expressing concern about “tensions” and saying that the terrorist threat was high.
Anti-Israel protests since October 7th have frequently turned violent. In May, police in Athens were forced to intervene after pro-Palestinian demonstrators tried to storm both the Egyptian embassy and a hotel housing Israeli tourists. A video showed a loud group, some holding Palestinian flags attempting to breach the hotel. Police were forced to use gas grenades to get them to disperse. The Anti-Defamation League decried the act as “an appalling hate crime.”