Bergisch Gladbach Marks Ukraine, Israel Conflicts with Vigil and Rally

A vigil and a rally took place in Bergisch Gladbach on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, to protest against Putin's war in Ukraine and to remember the victims of the recent Hamas attack on Israel, with around 300 people attending the rally and 40 at the vigil.

The day began with a vigil at the Holocaust memorial in the Park of Villa Zanders at 6:56 AM. This weekly event, held every Tuesday, is organized by the association promoting the partnership with Ganey Tikva and the solidarity partnership with Nir Oz. Petra Hemming, the chairwoman, read out an interview with a survivor of the Hamas attack during the vigil. Notably, the Israeli flag was absent at this event.

Later, at 6 PM, a rally was held at Konrad-Adenauer-Platz, attracting around 300 people. This event, organized by political youth organizations, aimed to take a stand against Putin’s war in Ukraine and for peace. An Israeli guest sang the Hatikva, the Israeli national anthem, during the rally. However, the Israeli flag was not hoisted at the town hall during this event either. Neither the rally nor the vigil received any response from passers-by, and no local community representatives participated. Two police officers were present at the vigil to prevent incidents.

The events in Bergisch Gladbach served as a reminder of the ongoing conflicts and a call for peace. The absence of the Israeli flag at the public rally and its omission at the vigil underscore the delicate nature of these issues. Despite the lack of immediate response from the local community, the organizers continue to raise awareness and demand action.