Shops in Ghent defaced in protest against war in Gaza
Several shops in Ghent's Veldstraat were vandalised with red paint and messages against the war in Gaza during the night from Friday to Saturday.
"Seven shops and premises were defaced," said Bart De Cocker, spokesperson for the Ghent police. "We have asked the city of Ghent to remove the graffiti."
Activists affixed slogans such as "Don't shop while bombs drop" and said the targeted shops sold products that would finance the war in Gaza. Het Laatste Nieuws reports that the action group Antifa Ghent distributed an announcement by the perpetrators.
"The genocide is financed by many international chains and shops that sell brands in favour of Israel such as Nespresso, Snipes, Tommy Hilfiger, Fnac, Zara, H&M, JD Sports, Inno, Footlocker, Kruidvat. They profit directly or indirectly from the war," the group said.
"To the Belgian state, like South Africa, we ask them to be brave and hold Israel to account before the international court. To brands and shops, we ask you to stop sponsoring the death of Palestinians."
The public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators. Local police are investigating who applied the paint and slogans and have prepared vandalism reports for each affected property.
#FlandersNewsService | Veldstraat in Ghent © PHOTO ARTERRA
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