By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Thousands of Serbians have been gathering every Sunday in the capital Belgrade to rally in support of Palestine amid its war with Israel.
They take part in demonstrations in Republic Square carrying Palestinian and Serbian flags and chanting slogans such as "Free Palestine."
After gathering in the city center, they stage a peace rally through the city's main streets which host state institutes and diplomatic missions.
Jelena Riznic, a PhD student and feminist activist, told Anadolu she especially feels empathy towards women in Palestine because of their vulnerability.
''I am here because I support the people of Palestine. I support their freedom. I support the freedom of women in Palestine because right now, they are the most vulnerable ones besides children. I support them with all my heart,'' she said.
Throughout the rallies, demonstrators call on institutes to take a stand against Israel's occupation of Palestine and its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Zeljko Zdravkovic from Belgrade said he wants to show full support and call for peace in the Middle East because as a Serbian citizen, he knows how it is to live under bombings.
''I am here to support Palestine because of the genocide they are experiencing from the state of Israel unfortunately. Not from the people of Israel, but from the government of Israel. It is terrible. We know how it is because we had the NATO aggression in 1999, so we unfortunately know what it’s like to live under bombs," said Zdravkovic.
A painter from Belgrade, Natalija Stojanovic, said she is emotionally connected with the Middle East.
''I am very emotionally connected with the Middle East. I lived in Syria as a child. I know that these people are very welcoming. I know it is all politics and the whole world must support Palestine,'' she said.
Muhammed Enes Danalıoğlu, a PhD student at the University of Belgrade, said thousands of people have been calling for freedom for Palestine and peace.
''We would like to announce once again that we are on the side of the Palestinian people, together with the people of Belgrade, the Serbian community and the Arab community as well as multiculturally. We will continue our walk with enthusiasm. Thousands of people are crying out for the freedom of the Palestinian people here, and this blessed march will not only stay here but will go further and the Palestinian people will achieve their freedom,'' he said.
Serbs living in Belgrade wake up often to messages condemning Israel's brutal attacks against the Palestinian people on buildings financed or built by Israeli companies throughout the city.
The US coffee chain Starbucks, a building hosting a book fair sponsored by Israeli companies and business centers as well as shopping malls built with Israeli investments were targeted with messages on their walls.
They said "Belgrade and Serbia will never be a safe home for mass murderers coming from Israel,” ''Death to Zionist imperialism!” “Long live free Palestine!'' and ''Long live the friendship of the peoples of Serbia and Palestine!”
A huge mural in support of the uprising of the people of Palestine against the Israeli occupier also appeared in the center of Belgrade.
It was painted in one of the tunnels in the city center and contained the messages ''Down with Zionism!'' and ''Down with Euro-Atlantic imperialism!”