Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Around 1,000 demonstrators show support for Israel in Brussels
Around 1,000 people gathered in front of the Israeli embassy in Uccle at 18.30 on Monday to show their support for the State of Israel.
The Walloon Comité de Coordination des Organisations Juives de Belgique (CCOJB) and its Flemish counterpart, the Forum der Joodse Organisaties (FJO) organised the rally. Politicians were also present, including former PM Sophie Wilmès of francophone liberals MR.
After a minute's silence in honour of the victims, CCOJB president Yves Oschinsky said, "It warms our wounded hearts to see us all standing here together, reunited and united".
"We are here to express our solidarity with the Israeli people," said Oschinsky, alongside Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, Israel's ambassador to Belgium. "We are here to express our deep conviction that Israel will defeat the enemy. An enemy that seeks to sow terror among the population."
"Shame on those who continue to justify this violence," he said.
On Saturday at dawn, Hamas launched a surprise offensive in southern Israel, prompting the Israeli government to respond with a large-scale military operation in Gaza. Attacks between the two sides have continued, with the death and injury toll rising.
Israeli media report more than 900 dead and at least 2,600 wounded. According to the Palestinian ministry of Health, at least 680 Palestinians have been killed and 3,800 injured in Gaza.
© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE / © BELGA VIDEO MAARTEN WEYNANTS
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