NextFin news, Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Brussels on Sunday to protest against the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and to call for a ceasefire. The protest, named the 'Red Line for Gaza,' saw participants wearing red and carrying red cards as symbols of their demands for stronger measures against Israel to protect civilians in Gaza.
Local police estimated the turnout at around 70,000 people, while organizers claimed that up to 120,000 marched through the Belgian capital. The march stretched approximately 3.5 kilometers across the city center.
The protest included participation from over 200 human rights groups and aid organizations such as Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and Save the Children. These groups are advocating for a permanent ceasefire, an end to violence and occupation in Palestinian territories, unrestricted humanitarian aid access, and economic sanctions on Israel.
The demonstration occurred shortly after Belgium announced plans to recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly later this month and to impose sanctions on Israel under certain conditions. This move aligns Belgium with countries like the United Kingdom and France, which have taken similar stances.
Katrien Van der Heyden, Teamleader Education at Oxfam Belgium, emphasized the importance of public pressure on EU politicians, stating that the recent government compromise would not have been possible without previous marches and campaigns that gathered significant public support.
Isja Puissant, spokesperson for the Global Movement to Gaza in Belgium, criticized the slow political response, highlighting that while politicians discuss recognition of Palestine, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly.
The protest is part of a broader wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations across Europe, including in Ireland, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain, in response to Israel's expanded military offensive in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis.
The conflict escalated after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel's subsequent military response has resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
Large areas of Gaza have been destroyed, displacing most of its more than two million residents. The United Nations has declared famine conditions in Gaza and expects the situation to worsen in the coming weeks.
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