Thousands march in Brussels, demanding sanctions against Israel

By Selen Valente Rasquinho

BRUSSELS (AA) - Thousands rallied in Brussels, home to EU institutions, on Sunday, urging economic and diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt Gaza attacks.

Tens of thousands gathered in Belgium's capital city, demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli assaults on Gaza.

The demonstration included EU employees, Belgian politicians, and representatives from various sectors, alongside students who had been protesting across Europe.

Wearing Palestinian keffiyehs, carrying Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as "Boycott Israel" and "Stop the genocide," demonstrators marched through the city's main streets, calling for action.

Messages from Gaza journalists were displayed on giant screens, followed by a minute of silence for the victims, at Jean Rey Square, between the European Parliament and the EU Council building.

- Politicians call for sanctions on Israel

Politicians, including MEP Marc Botenga and Peter Mertens of the Workers' Party of Belgium, emphasized the need for sanctions against Israel among the members of the bloc.

Diab Abu Yahya, the chairman of the Viva Palestina Party in Belgium, stressed the importance of new initiatives to address the ongoing crisis.

Yahya said the protests gave hope, but they were also disappointing because they did not lead to concrete political steps.

Israel continued its brutal offensive on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 35,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and over 79,400 others injured since October following an attack by Hamas.

More than seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

* Writing by Muhammed Yasin Gungor in Istanbul