‘Freedom for Gaza’: Pro-palestine rallies sweep across European cities
Istanbul, Turkey - Thousands have taken to the streets in recent days in European cities in solidarity with Palestine amid pro-palestinian encampments at college campuses in the US because of an Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip.
Rallies across Berlin, London, Geneva, Vienna and Paris underscored widespread support for Palestine across Europe.
Demonstrators from diverse backgrounds came together to condemn the ongoing violence and advocate for justice and peace in the region.
European solidarity
In Berlin, demonstrators gathered Saturday at Hermannplatz Square to condemn the violence in Gaza. They waved Palestinian flags and chanted: ‘Hitler didn’t die’, ‘It’s time to update Germany’s democratic values’, ‘Zionists, there’s a place in hell. You can occupy it’ and ‘Yesterday Nazis, today Zionists’.
Police reported 161 detentions and said other actions are banned until May 13.
In London, crowds marched at Parliament Square demanding an immediate ceasefire and urged the government to take a stronger stance against Israeli aggression. “Rishi Sunak, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” protestors chanted, referring to the prime minister.
Thousands marched at Place de Neuve Square in Geneva in support of Palestine. Demonstrators carried banners and chanted: ‘Boycott Israel’, ‘Ban Israel from
the Olympics’ and ‘Freedom for Palestine’. The two-hour march ended at Plainpalais Square.
In Vienna, protesters gathered at the Culture Square in Vienna’s 10th district. Demonstrators demanded an end to the violence and for Austria to support efforts for peace and justice in the Middle East, displaying Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as, ‘No to Genocide’, ‘Urgent ceasefire’ and ‘Freedom for Gaza’.
In Paris, protesters marched on Friday to the Paris Institute of
Political Studies, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and demanding an end to the Israeli occupation.
Demonstrators held that read: ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Stop the Violence’, underscoring the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, voices of solidarity serve as a powerful reminder of the global call for an end to the conflict.
Meanwhile, in Germany, police on Friday used violence
against peaceful pro-palestine protesters in Berlin, an activist said. “This is Germany, the heart of Europe,” Yasemin Acar, who was beaten up by police, told Anadolu.
“...They beat us violently in front of parliament, arrested us, and we were hospitalised,” she said. Acar was released after identification and was treated at the hospital due to an injury to her arm.
It is not clear if her arm will be put in a cast, but she said she is trying to get better.
Police in Berlin dismantled the Support for Gaza camp next to the Chancellery and opposite the Bundestag. Many people were detained in the violent confrontation. Talking about the incident, she said she reached the sit-in after someone told her on the phone that the protesters were being asked to leave.
“As soon as I arrived there, the police already saw (me). We started raising slogans. When I said: ‘Freedom for Palestine’, the police pointed their finger at me.
“Then 10-15 policemen came,
all men by the way. They pulled my head and one of them hit my nose. I told them I couldn’t breathe. But they didn’t listen and told me to ‘shut up’.
“So human rights, and being a woman has no value anymore.”
In detention, she said, they were taken to an office-like area set up nearby.
“They said: ‘We will put you in prison’. I protested because I knew my rights. Because I raised my voice, they tried to silence me after that,” she said.