Pro-Palestine Protests and Solidarity Events Across Europe

Pro-Palestine protests and solidarity events have been held in France, Sweden and the Netherlands, condemning Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank and calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in Paris and Stockholm, while kite-flying events were held in 11 Dutch cities in solidarity with Palestinian children. In the French capital, protesters gathered at Châtelet Square following a call by the Euro Palestine Association and then marched towards Place de la Bourse. Carrying Palestinian flags and placards reading “Boycott Israel” and “Freedom for Palestinians,” the demonstrators called on the French government to impose sanctions on Israel.

They chanted slogans condemning what they described as genocide in Gaza and denounced the demolition of Palestinian homes and attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Some participants also carried photographs depicting the destruction in Gaza, as well as images from the Holocaust during World War II.

Meanwhile, in Stockholm, hundreds of people gathered in the Oden plan area to protest Israel’s ongoing attacks and what protesters described as attempts to undermine the ceasefire process in Gaza and the occupied West Bank .Carrying Palestinian flags and banners calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the protesters marched from Oden plan Square to the Swedish Parliament. Police detained a pro-Israel woman for allegedly attacking protesters during the march.

Later, Swedish activist Jörgen Hellsson said protesters had been gathering for weeks because what is currently being described as a ceasefire is not a genuine ceasefire. He pointed to continuing civilian deaths in Gaza and rising tensions in the occupied West Bank, while criticizing what he described as an inadequate response from Western countries, including Sweden. Hellsson also stressed that criticism of the Israeli government should not be equated with antisemitism, saying that the protesters were opposing violence against civilians and violations of international law.

In addition, kite-flying events were held in 11 Dutch cities in solidarity with children in Gaza. Organized by the Plant an Olive Tree Foundation, the events aimed to draw attention to the attacks on Gaza and protest Israeli threats and attacks against Palestinians, following incidents in which kites flown from the area had landed in Israeli settlements near the border.

In Rotterdam, children and adults gathered at Noordplein to decorate and fly kites in the colors of the Palestinian flag, bearing messages such as “Free Palestine” and “Save Gaza.”At the end of the demonstration, participants distributed leaflets to raise public awareness and provide information about the situation in Gaza. It is worth noting that on August 23, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to take “immediate and forceful action” against kites being flown by children in Gaza.