Pro-Palestinian Camp in Hamburg: Location Dispute Resolved, Camp to Proceed on Moorweide
Hamburg, May 8, 2026 – A planned week-long pro-Palestinian camp in Hamburg will proceed on the Moorweide, opposite Dammtor train station, starting this Saturday. This decision follows a successful court challenge by the organizers against an attempt to relocate the event.
“We are happy to announce that we were successful in court and the camp will take place as planned on the Moorweide,” one of the organizers informed NDR on Friday evening. The organizers of the “Bridges of Resistance” pro-Palestinian protest camp had filed a complaint with the administrative court against the relocation. They intend to set up the camp on the Moorweide, where a similar camp was held two years ago.
“Our protest camp is not a provocation, and certainly not a questioning of Jewish remembrance,” the organizers stated.
Jewish Community Protested Location
The Jewish Community of Hamburg had previously protested against the camp’s location in an open letter. They argued that Moorweide is not just any public space, but the site where approximately 6,000 Jewish people, Sinti, and Roma were deported during the Holocaust. On Wednesday evening, a police spokesperson announced that the camp would be moved to Sternschanzenpark following these protests.
Organizers Under Observation by Constitutional Protection
According to the Jewish Community, some of the organizers include groups that hold antisemitic views, such as “Thawra! Hamburg.” This group is reportedly under observation by authorities, according to the Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
Philipp Stricharz, chairman of the Jewish Community, criticized the camp, stating that it questions Israel’s right to exist and spreads hatred against Jewish people. To prevent future camps on Moorweide, the Jewish Community hopes that the city will permanently recognize the area as a protected memorial site.
Court Ruling Favors Organizers
Despite the concerns raised by the Jewish Community and the initial relocation order, the organizers’ appeal to the administrative court was successful. This ruling allows them to proceed with their original plans for the camp on Moorweide, emphasizing their right to protest in their chosen location.
The Camp’s Objectives and Background
The “Bridges of Resistance” camp aims to raise awareness and protest regarding the Palestinian cause. The organizers maintain that their protest is not intended to be provocative or disrespectful to Jewish remembrance, despite the historical significance of the Moorweide.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between freedom of assembly and the protection of memorial sites, particularly in a city with a complex history like Hamburg. The city authorities and the Jewish Community are now faced with the challenge of balancing these competing interests.
Future Implications for Public Spaces and Memorials
The outcome of this legal battle may have broader implications for the use of public spaces in Hamburg, especially those with historical significance. The Jewish Community’s call for the permanent recognition of Moorweide as a protected memorial site underscores the desire for clearer guidelines regarding protests and gatherings in such sensitive locations.
The Hamburg Journal on NDR Fernsehen reported on this topic on May 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the camp’s location and its implications for the city.
Source: NDR.de
