Protesters gather in Berlin to oppose Israel's death penalty bill

A protest was held in Berlin on Wednesday against a proposed law in Israel that would introduce the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners.

A large number of people gathered at Alexanderplatz to protest both the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the proposed death penalty law.

Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags, signs reading "Stop the genocide" and "Free Palestinian prisoners," as well as images of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

During the protest, participants staged a symbolic reenactment depicting Palestinian prisoners being led to execution.
The demonstrators also expressed opposition to Israel's attacks on Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon, and criticized Germany for supplying weapons to Israel.

The protest, which took place under heightened security measures, ended without incident.

On March 30, the Israeli parliament approved the death penalty law by a vote of 62 in favor, 48 against, and one abstention, amid celebrations by right-wing parties.

The legislation targets those accused of deliberately killing Israelis and could affect up to 117 prisoners serving life sentences.

More than 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including 350 children and 73 women, where they face abuse, starvation, and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups.