Berlin leaders commemorate 85 years of Nazi deportations at Gleis 17

Political and judicial leaders gathered at the Gleis 17 memorial at Berlin-Grunewald station to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the start of Nazi deportations of Jewish citizens from Berlin. The ceremony honored the approximately 10,000 Jewish people who were deported from this location via the Deutsche Reichsbahn to concentration camps, beginning with the first 'East transport' on October 18, 1941.

Stefan Harbarth, President of the Federal Constitutional Court, described the deportations as the beginning of a 'systematic mass destruction that negates all humanity.' He warned against indifference and emphasized that society must not accept a reality where Jewish life in Germany can only exist under police protection.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor joined the commemoration, stating that the responsibility of the memorial only ends when Jewish life in Germany can be lived freely, safely, and without fear. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner also attended, affirming that the Senate will tolerate no antisemitism, hatred, or violence against Jewish people.