On Monday, 13 July 2026, dozens of activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, blocked the entrance to the Berlin office of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. The protest was organised by Peacefully Against Genocide as part of a campaign against the company’s role in supplying weapons to Israel.
The demonstrators accuse Rheinmetall of complicity in what they describe as “genocide in the Gaza Strip”, “occupation and apartheid”, and attacks on Lebanon. The action was part of a wider week of protests against the German defence giant.
Statement from Greta Thunberg
Thunberg, who joined the blockade, issued a firm statement:
“They are planning to build another weapons factory that will produce ammunition sent to Israel and arm it during the ongoing genocide, the decades-long occupation and apartheid, and during attacks on Lebanon.”
She also added:
“We are doing this because it is our duty to protest against injustice and to stand up against genocide. During genocide, states and institutions have a legal obligation to end complicity, which means stopping arms transfers.”
Course of the Protest
The activists glued themselves to the pavement in front of the Rheinmetall office at Brandenburger Tor. Police intervened with around 70 officers – demonstrators were gradually unstuck and their identities checked. Several dozen people were detained.
The protest was aimed in particular at the Rheinmetall site in the Wedding district, which since last year has been converted to produce components for artillery ammunition.
The group announced it would continue its actions against the company’s activities in Berlin.
Context
Rheinmetall is recording a huge rise in orders linked to conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. Critics accuse the company and the German government of actively supporting Israel’s military campaign, which has faced international condemnation over the scale of civilian casualties.
What do you think of this form of protest? Are blockades and direct actions an effective way to change arms policy, or merely a spectacle? Let us know in the comments.
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