Huge rally in Prague see more than 1,000 demonstrators demand cease-fire in Gaza

By Ebad Ahmed

Prague (AA) - Scores of Czech protesters expressed disappointment Saturday in Prague for the government’s strong support for Israel with its ongoing military operation in Gaza.

The protest which was called by pro-Palestine advocacy and solidarity groups, started at the Namesti Miru and then marched with more than 1,000 people to different areas of the city.

Demonstrators demanded an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Authorities deployed a heavy police contingent to avoid untoward incidents.

“We are asking for a cease-fire because this is a foundation for a lasting peace, we must first have a cease-fire before we can discuss lasting peace at all,” Kara Clarkson told Anadolu. She requested those from other European countries immediately demand a cease-fire.

Protestors demanded the Czech government roll back its pro-Israel policies and they called the military action “an unjust war.”

Czech researcher Pavel Borecky told the Turkish news agency that he disagrees with the official position of the Czech government which keeps supporting Israel even in times when an international court is probing whether Israel is committing genocide.

“It is an important cause and we need more people to hear and be here with us,” he added.

The protest was the largest pro-Palestinian gathering in Prague since the start of the Israeli onslaught in Gaza which indicates that pro-Palestine momentum is surprisingly rising in a country that claims to be the “voice of Israel in Europe.”

At least 24,762 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and 62,108 injured, since Israel launched an onslaught against Gaza in response to a cross-border surprise attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The Israeli offensive has left 85% of Gaza’s population internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.