Bremen and Gaza – Longstanding Solidarity

By Helga Merkelbach

Bremen and Gaza are often compared in common media as the size of the two is similarly small, but Gaza holds a higher population density. Less well known is the fact that, on the one hand, a significant amount of the weaponry contributing to the ongoing killing and destruction in Gaza is produced in Bremen, while on the other, a Palestinian community and German friends in the city ceaselessly express their solidarity with Palestine.

17 December 2023: “German weapons kill children, 8697 / 10 weeks: Stop arms delivery to Israel – Now!” © H. Merkelbach

Connections?

Israel is supported by 99 per cent arms delivery from the USA (two thirds), followed by Germany (one third). 0.8% of the German population lives in Bremen, while 7% of arms production is located there, meaning Bremen has the highest concentration of the arms industry nationwide. The volume of arms exports for Israel passing through Bremen’s ports is not disclosed, but they all go to Bremen’s official sister city Haifa. Military production is rising, so are profits, such as of the Bremen space and defense company OHB, 46 % in the first half of 2026.

 

8 February 2025: 35 000 demonstrate against the rising German far right: “We bear some responsibility if we do nothing.” © H. Merkelbach

Solidarity!

The Bremen district of Hemelingen (represented by the local advisory council and the Hemelingen community center) has maintained an official friendship agreement with Tamra since 1993. Tamra is a Palestinian neighboring community located in the immediate vicinity of Haifa and suffered from racialized protection during the ongoing wars.

The Palestinian community in Bremen, various groups and individuals have all intensified their solidarity with Palestine since 7 October 2026.

25 September 2025: 48-hour name reading of more than 50 000 killed in Gaza, in front of Bremen’s parliament (Bürgerschaft) © H. Merkelbach

In August 2025 the City of Bremen, along with other German cities was prepared to take in injured children from Gaza for treatment, protection and safety; the federal government rejected the idea.

5 September 2026: 2000 pairs of shoes commemorate 73 000 Gazan people killed at least – displayed in Bremen’s so-called “living-room”, the market square. Every now and then, deafening war sounds blared from loudspeakers. © H. Merkelbach

Bremen follows the tradition established in the 1960s and 1970s, during the Vietnam War, when injured children were flown in and civil society groups organized regular acts of solidarity.

19 September 2026: the 154th Saturday after Saturday 7 October 2023, another Saturday demonstration in Bremen, another Saturday vigil, the first was on 4 March 2011, started and performed mainly by women. – “No arms cooperation with Israel” – © H. Merkelbach

Helga Merkelbach