Green party leader arrested at pro-Palestine protest in Antwerp
Aimen Horch, leader of the Flemish green party Groen, was arrested in Antwerp on Monday evening, during the weekly protest organised by the Antwerp Coalition for Palestine. Protesters want the Israeli flag to be removed from the town hall and replaced with a peace flag.
The weekly pro-Palestine demonstration coincided with the monthly city council meeting. Protestors were seeking to pressure the N-VA and Vooruit governing majority into removing the Israeli flag. N-VA wants the flag to remain, while Vooruit opposes its display; with no agreement reached between the two parties, the flag continues to fly for the time being.
During that protest, Groen party leader Aimen Horch was arrested, local police confirmed, citing a breach of public order. Reports indicate that four other people were also detained.
In a statement, Groen described Horch's arrest as taking place during a "peaceful protest". "Peaceful protest is a right," said city councillor Meyrem Almaci. "The city council apparently prefers to send police to a protest rather than finally drawing a line in the sand and removing the Israeli flag from the town hall."
“I understand the emotion, but we are all Antwerp residents and want to preserve the neutrality of the town hall," Mayor Els Van Doesburg responded to Het Nieuwsblad. "The rules in this city apply to everyone."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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