On Monday, July 13, 2026, dozens of activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, blocked the entrance to the Berlin office of the German arms company Rheinmetall. The protest was organised by a group Peacefully Against Genocide as part of a campaign against the role of the company in providing arms to Israel.
Demonstrators accuse Rheinmetall of complicity in what they call "genocide in the Gaza Strip", "apartheid occupation" and attacks on Lebanon. The action was part of a wider week of protests against the German arms giant.
Statement by Greta Thunberg
Thunberg, who joined the blockade, issued a strong statement:
"They plan to build another weapons factory that will produce ammunition sent to Israel and arm it during the ongoing genocide, the occupation of apartheid lasting for decades, as well as during the attacks on Lebanon."
She also added:
"We do this because it is our duty to protest injustice and to oppose genocide. During the genocide, states and institutions have a legal obligation to end their participation, meaning the cessation of arms transfers."
Protest course
Activists stuck to the sidewalk in front of Rheinmetall's office on Brandenburger Tor. Police She intervened with about 70 officers – demonstrators were gradually peeled off and identified. Several dozen people were detained.
The protest was directed particularly against the Rheinmetall plant in the Wedding district, which since last year has been converted into the production of components for artillery ammunition.
The group announced the continuation of actions against the company's operations in Berlin.
Background
Rheinmetall notes a huge increase in procurement in the context of conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. Critics accuse the company and the German government of actively supporting an Israeli military campaign that faces international condemnation due to the scale of civilian casualties.
What do you think of this form of protest? Do the locks and shares direct are an effective way to change arms policy, or just a performance? Let me know in the comments.
