Thousands protest in Brussels against war in Gaza and Belgian ‘complicity’
On Sunday afternoon, thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels at the initiative of various pro-Palestinian organisations, trade unions and associations to denounce the war in Gaza, the Nakba and what the organisers describe as European and Belgian “complicity” in it.
The demonstrators set off at around 3 pm from Brussels-North station towards Central Station. They waved Palestinian flags and carried banners calling for an “end to the genocide”, “sanctions against Israel”, and the suspension of the association agreement between the European Union and Israel.
The demonstration took place at a time when the Nakba was being commemorated. This is a term which means “catastrophe” in Arabic and refers to the forced exodus of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. In various speeches, criticism was levelled at the ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the displacement of the population and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories.
The organisers demanded “the immediate cessation of all arms deliveries to Israel”, sanctions against those who violate international law and a “clear and unambiguous” recognition of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. The participants also called on the Belgian and European authorities to step up diplomatic pressure on Israel.
Demonstration in support of Palestine in Brussels © PHOTO Karim Tebache / Hans Lucas / via AFP + © BELGA VIDEO MATEUSZ KUKULKA
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