(MENAFN) On Wednesday, demonstrators convened in central Berlin to protest what they described as escalating suppression of pro-Palestinian voices within Germany’s academic and cultural sectors.

The rally unfolded on Jaeger Street in the Mitte district, coinciding with the upcoming Conference of Education Ministers.

Carrying Palestinian flags and images of scientists reportedly killed by Israel, participants vocally criticized the German government for its arms supplies to Israel.

They demanded that German institutions sever collaborations with Israeli counterparts and called on Israel to halt its occupation of Palestinian territories.

Activist Georg Ismael told media that the demonstration’s purpose was to pressure science and education ministers into backing an academic and cultural boycott of Israeli institutions.

He asserted that Germany’s universities and research centers "legitimize and even encourage apartheid and occupation" through their close partnerships with Israel. Ismael emphasized, "until Palestinians have equal rights, German institutions should not cooperate with Israeli ones."

Ismael also denounced what he described as the "widespread and shocking" crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists, noting that the situation has drawn concern from the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner.

The protest concluded peacefully, despite a strong police presence.

MENAFN16102025000045017169ID1110204348