Global Demonstrations Continue against Ongoing Israeli Atrocities in Gaza
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Amidst a wave of international condemnation, thousands of people took to the streets across the globe on Saturday, protesting against Israeli atrocities in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The rallies echoed a unified demand for an end to the indiscriminate campaign of bloodshed and destruction.
In the capital cities of France and Belgium, demonstrators poured into the streets, urging their governments to hold Tel Aviv accountable for its alleged genocidal war on Gaza. Voices in Paris demanded the Israeli regime "stop the massacre in Gaza" and called for an "immediate ceasefire." Wassila Abdel Malek, among the protesters, emphasized, "It's unimaginable that in 2023 a government like France won't say stop to this genocide."
The protests were not confined to the capital cities, as Gaza ceasefire rallies spread across other French cities, including Marseille, Toulouse, Rennes, and Bordeaux. Manuel Bompard, coordinator for La France Insoumise (LFI), stressed the essential nature of such mobilization in the face of what he termed "massacres."
In Brussels, the seat of the European Union, over 20,000 people participated in a pro-Palestinian rally, chanting "free Palestine," "stop the genocide," and criticizing the EU's perceived bias in favor of Israel. Activists condemned what they saw as a "genocidal enterprise" by the Israeli regime.
The global outcry against Israeli aggression extended beyond Europe.
In Canada, activists intensified efforts to end arms sales to Israel, resorting to direct action against weapons manufacturers.
Meanwhile, in London, hundreds of thousands took to the streets demanding an immediate end to Israel's war of genocide in Gaza.
South Africa also witnessed a significant march in support of Palestinians in Gaza, with demonstrators urging their government to expel the Israeli ambassador. Prominent anti-apartheid figure Dr. Allan Boesak called for the closure of the Israeli embassy, emphasizing their opposition to "apartheid Israel."
On Saturday, heads of state from member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a joint summit. The leaders called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and demanded a decisive, binding resolution from the United Nations Security Council to halt Israeli aggression against the blockaded territory.
The international community continues to grapple with finding a resolution to the escalating crisis.
The widespread protests underscore a global chorus of voices united against what many perceive as Israeli atrocities in Gaza, creating a compelling and urgent call for action on the international stage.