Germany’s Düsseldorf Leadership Stands Firm for Hostages

When the Streets Protest, Düsseldorf’s Leadership Leads: Support for Hostages and Israel

Today, I had the privilege of attending the opening of a special photo exhibition, at the invitation of photographer and co-organiser Eva Lindner, from the Düsseldorf chapter of Run for Their Lives — the grassroots movement that raises awareness for the hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023.

For nearly two years, come rain or shine, a dedicated group of organisers and walkers have peacefully marched through our city. Their goal has been simple, yet profoundly human: to keep alive the memory and plight of the hostages still held in Hamas’ dungeons in Gaza. Today, we continue to hope and pray for the release of the remaining 48 hostages — both alive and deceased — so that their families can finally find some measure of peace.

The exhibition brought together an extraordinary group of people: Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, Deputy Mayor Josef Hinkel, members of the Free Democratic Party, leaders of the Jewish and Israeli community, and many others. As we looked at Eva Lindner’s powerful photographs of the marchers — holding images of hostages, some freed, some tragically murdered, some still captive — the depth of shared pain and determination was palpable.

Even though our numbers are small compared to the massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations that openly call for Israel’s destruction on the streets of Europe, there is a quiet strength in our weekly marches. And in this struggle, the support of Düsseldorf’s city leadership has meant everything. Unlike in London or Barcelona, where public demonstrations for Israel or for the hostages often face hostility or lack of political backing, in Düsseldorf we do not feel alone. Our leaders stand firm: for the release of the hostages, for Israel’s right to defend itself, and for the Jewish community here at home.

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) leadership in our city deserve recognition for their courage and clarity. FDP City Councillor Ulf Montanus has spoken powerfully about how Jews are an integral part of Germany — not outsiders, not “others,” but part of the very fabric of this country. He is deeply troubled when media and society treat Jews differently, and he believes that educating the public about Israel’s historical and political reality is essential. FDP member and active Run for Their Lives participant Daniela Masberg has also highlighted how crucial it is to bring proper education about the Middle East into our schools here in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Without it, she warned, the younger generation — raised on TikTok — will only encounter misinformation and hostility toward Israel. She also reminded us that Western civilisation, built on Judeo-Christian values, must be safeguarded in these turbulent times.

Eighty years after the Holocaust, Germany is once again facing dark and dangerous times for Jews. That is why I am deeply grateful for the leadership we have in Düsseldorf. A city famous for its fashion and commerce is also becoming known for something much more profound: standing on the right side of history.

My heartfelt thanks go to Eva Lindner, Rivah Young, and her husband Peter Wildanger, who have faithfully organised Run for Their Lives since October 2023. To Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, Deputy Mayor Josef Hinkel, the leadership of the Jewish community, and the tireless activists for Israel, the hostages, and genuine peace — thank you. And finally, a special thank you to the Iranian activists in our city, who consistently advocate for a free Iran and for peace in Israel.

In these difficult times, your solidarity means everything. Düsseldorf, my home city and the capital of Germany’s most populous state, has shown that it has the moral clarity and courage to stand with the Jewish people and with Israel. For that, I am profoundly grateful.

In a world where indifference is often louder than outrage, these marches and this exhibition remind us that solidarity matters — that the act of witnessing, of showing up week after week, carries immense weight. Each photograph, each story of a hostage’s suffering, each step along the march route, is a refusal to let injustice fade into silence. It is a call to conscience, not just for Düsseldorf, but for all of Europe, that the lives of the innocent must never be politicized or ignored. Through the courage of our city leaders and the steadfast commitment of our community, we are creating a space where truth, memory, and humanity prevail over propaganda and hate.