LONDON/ROME/BERLIN/PARIS/PRAGUE - Thousands of people took to the streets in several European cities yesterday in pro-Palestinian demonstrations ahead of the first anniversary of the Hamas terrorist movement's attack on Israel and the subsequent start of the war in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators mainly called for a ceasefire. Massive rallies are planned from Saturday to Monday. The action culminates on Monday, the day of the anniversary.
Thousands of people gathered in central London in the presence of police. Some of the organisers of the march said they planned to target companies and institutions they believe are complicit in Israel's crimes, such as Barclays Bank and the British Museum. Several scuffles broke out when police officers pushed back activists trying to pass through the police cordon. Police eventually arrested 15 people on suspicion of public order violations and assault.
Despite the ban by local authorities, who refused to allow the protests because of security concerns, several thousand demonstrators gathered in Rome. Protesters chanted "Free Palestine, free Lebanon". The initial demonstration was peaceful, but later several protesters, dressed in black and with their faces covered, began throwing bottles and paper bombs at the police. The police used tear gas and water cannons against them and dispersed the crowd.
Police in Berlin, where nearly 500 officers are on duty, have also prepared for large-scale operations throughout the weekend. Several rallies have been announced for Sunday, both in support of Palestine and in support of Israel. At Saturday's pro-Palestinian demonstration, titled "A Year of Genocide - and the World is Watching. Against police violence" several hundred people turned out. A pro-Palestinian demonstration was also held in Hamburg. According to the police, less than a thousand people took part in the peaceful march through the city centre.
Several thousand demonstrators in Paris also came to express their solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people. Many waved Palestinian flags and held placards and signs reading "stop the genocide", "free Palestine" and "hands off Lebanon".
Rallies are also to be held in several US cities such as Washington and New York.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration was also held on Saturday afternoon in the centre of Prague on náměstí Míru. Around 500 participants gathered there and, after a roughly one-hour program of speeches, marched together through the centre of Prague to náměstí Republiky (Republic Square). The demonstrators demanded, among other things, a reassessment of the Czech government's stance towards Israel, which they consider uncritical. Some of their banners accused cabinet members of condoning genocide against the Palestinians. The event took place without any problems or disturbances. During the march, police officers diverted or stopped traffic for the necessary time.
Security forces in several countries have announced a heightened level of alert in major cities over fears that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could inspire new terrorist attacks in Europe or that protests could turn violent. Pro-Palestinian protests calling for an immediate ceasefire have taken place repeatedly across Europe and around the world over the past year, often turning violent between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
Last October 7, the Hamas terrorist movement launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a war that has disrupted much of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. According to Gaza Ministry figures, which do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, more than 41 000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war began. Nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive.
Gnews.cz - HeK
PHOTO - Facebook/Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK
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