Milan, Italy: 15,000 demonstrators demand an end to the genocide in Gaza / AA
Participants' demands ranged from calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, lifting the blockade, allowing humanitarian aid into the country, and holding Israel accountable for what they considered gross human rights violations.
In the Italian city of Milan, approximately 15,000 people gathered in a demonstration that began in front of the central train station, supported by Palestinian associations, unions, and leftist organizations. Protesters chanted slogans demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza and the prevention of the displacement of Palestinians from their lands, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Clashes erupted between protesters and police after slogans were spray-painted on bank facades, including one directed at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Security forces intervened violently and arrested seven people, escalating the clashes. Protesters later staged a sit-in to demand the release of those arrested, while several politicians, including the parliament speaker, condemned the offensive slogans against Meloni and expressed their solidarity with her.
In Geneva, Switzerland, thousands of people marched through the city's streets after gathering at Place De Neuve, waving Palestinian flags and holding banners bearing slogans in French, English, and Arabic such as "Freedom for Palestine" and "Stop the genocide in Gaza."
They also condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Syria, demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners, and strongly criticized the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The march concluded at Parc Des Cropettes after about three hours, amid tight security.
In the British capital, London, demonstrations took place demanding an immediate end to the war. Protesters emphasized the need to respect Palestinian rights and accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
A similar demonstration also took place in the Austrian capital, Vienna, during which protesters raised slogans in support of Palestine and demanded an end to the war and siege. They also called for international pressure on Israel to accept a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid.
In Stockholm, the Swedish capital, hundreds of people gathered in the Odenplan area, at the calls of civil society organizations, to denounce the war crimes committed against civilians in Gaza, especially women and children. Protesters marched to the parliament building, waving banners reading "Free Palestine, Free Gaza" and "Boycott Israel," accusing the US administration of complicity in these crimes.
In Türkiye, a demonstration took place in the city of Şanlıurfa, during which demonstrators denounced the ongoing Israeli war and called on the Islamic world and the free people of the world to take action to stop the crimes committed against the people of the Gaza Strip.
In the Arab world, the Tunisian capital witnessed a protest rally during which participants called for an end to the war that has been ongoing for more than a year and a half, the lifting of the siege on Gaza, and the entry of humanitarian aid.
In Iraq, the city of Kirkuk organized a solidarity event in which participants denounced what they described as "18 months of genocide against the people of Gaza," calling for an end to the Israeli massacres and international pressure on the occupation.
The Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, also witnessed the country's largest demonstration in support of Palestine. Thousands of representatives of religious organizations, nationalist parties, and Islamic parties gathered, raising slogans demanding an end to the war on Gaza and West Bank cities and condemning American and Western support for Israel.
In the French capital, Paris, a demonstration took place during which participants denounced Israel's resumption of the war on Gaza. This demonstration is part of a series of widespread international protests demanding an end to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in the Strip since October 7, 2023.