Several hundred people formed a human chain around a Munich synagogue to protect the Jewish community from a mass pro-Palestinian protest in a moving show of solidarity.

The Friday pro-Palestinian rally, organized by the group Palestine Speaks, was given permission to travel right past the city’s main synagogue, posing a threat to the Jewish community. The protesters shouted “Death to the IDF” and waved Palestinian flags, according to footage from the rally.

According to the Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Antisemitism, “Hamas terror was glorified as ‘Palestinian resistance,’ and German, Israeli, and French hostages held by the Islamist terror group were denounced as ‘war criminals.’”

The Munich Police Department provided increased security for the synagogue, assigning 150 officers from the Protection Division, the Special Support Command, and the mounted police unit to the scene. It also set up barricades and checkpoints to control access to the area.

However, the police weren’t alone. Hundreds of locals from various groups showed up in force to form a human chain. One of the groups – München Ist Bunt – posted ahead of time on Facebook: “We protect our synagogue! Join the human chain against antisemitism.” The protesters were joined by a musician who sang, “Stick together against hatred of Jews throughout the country.”