Germany’s police union (GdP) has raised concerns about potential unrest on October 7, the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.

“We expect decency from everyone in Germany on the anniversary of October 7,’’ the GdP’s chairman, Jochen Kopelke, told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) on Friday.

Mr Kopelke said that Police were taking robust and consistent action against perpetrators of violence and rioters.

He added that all security authorities in Germany would have an enormous need for personnel on October 7.

Berlin’s GdP spokesman Benjamin Jendro told the RND that authorities were bracing for a dynamic, city-wide situation due to the tense atmosphere.

“We are looking with great concern at the coming days,’’ he said.

Mr Jendro pointed to recent events, saying that pro-Palestinian gatherings had already escalated into anti-Semitic and violent incidents. 

He added that the recent developments in the Middle East involving Israel, Lebanon, and Iran could influence public demonstrations in the city.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other militants launched a terrorist attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting around 240 people in Gaza.

Israel responded with a fierce and ongoing counter-attack on Gaza.

The Hamas-controlled health authority in the besieged strip puts the current death toll at more than 41,000 since October 7.

The conflict triggered numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations worldwide, including in Germany, some of which were violent. 

(dpa/NAN)