Protests in Europe demand end to 'genocide' in Gaza

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN/ROTTERDAM/VIENNA/STOCKHOLM (AA) - Demonstrators in Europe took to the streets Saturday to demand an end to the "genocide" in Gaza and a cease-fire.

A demonstration in support of Palestine was organized in Berlin where thousands gathered at Alexanderplatz Square.

The demonstrators marched in the city center and carried Palestinian and South African flags and banners that read: "Ceasefire now", "Palestine will never die", "Germany stands on the wrong side for the second time in history" and "Stop the genocide."

They chanted slogans including: "Germany finances, Israel bombs", "Freedom for Palestine", "Ceasefire" and "The only solution is to end the occupation."

Thomas Coden told Anadolu that he found the German government's policy "unacceptable.”

"This is not politics. This is following America. If the Americans want, they can stop the state of Israel and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu from today to tomorrow to end this genocide. But nothing is happening."

"The German government is not doing anything to end it either. On the contrary, it is supplying weapons all over the world," said Coden.

Wilterud Schenk said Germany declared its unconditional support for Israel as a matter of state. "This is not right. It is necessary to name the wrongdoer, and we are also financing all this."

- Netherlands

Hundreds in Rotterdam formed a convoy of vehicles to show solidarity with Palestine.

They gathered in the Waalhaven car park and formed a convoy with their vehicles to support Palestine and draw attention to the massacre in Gaza.

The demonstrators covered their cars with Palestinian flags and texts that included: "No more oppression, time for freedom" and "Freedom for Palestine."

The convoy passed through the central points of the city and the Erasmus Bridge.

Police took security measures and closed roads to traffic along the route.

- Austria

In the march, demonstrators called for an end to "genocide" in Gaza.

They gathered at Mariahilfer Strasse, one of the important points in the capital, carrying Palestinian flags as well as banners that read: "No to genocide", "Urgent ceasefire" and "Freedom for Palestine."

Nabila Eshed told Anadolu that she participated to demand an end to the "genocide" in Gaza.

"The genocide must end and this genocide must be recognized," said Eshed.

Demonstrators then marched to Heroes Square.

- Sweden

About 15,000 protesters gathered in Stockholm in solidarity with Palestine and marched in front of the Foreign Ministry building.

On the call of many non-governmental organizations in the country, protestors gathered in the Odenplan area and demanded Israel stop war crimes in Gaza.

Demonstrators also called on Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom to resign because of his support for Israel.

- Italy

Palestinians and other Muslims took to the streets in Italy.

More than 3,000 demonstrators gathered at Vittorio Emanuele Square, the point where the march started in Rome and held a rally to protest the ban on demonstration rights and Israel's attacks on Gaza.

Halil, a Palestinian-Italian told Anadolu: "I came here because I am angry about the Palestinians who are killed every day, every night, every moment."

"I certainly do not deny the right of others to express their feelings about their past. In fact, I share the pain of those who lost their relatives in the Holocaust," he said.

"But others should also take a stance against this massacre that is taking place in Palestine today, especially in the West Bank and Gaza," he added.

Despite the International Court of Justice’s provisional ruling on Friday, Israel has continued its onslaught against the Gaza Strip where at least 26,257 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and 64,797 injured since Oct. 7, 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 was damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.​​​​​​​