Pro-Palestine Protests Across Europe: Dutch Cities Fly Kites in Solidarity with Gaza
Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations and solidarity events took place across France, Sweden and the Netherlands on Saturday, condemning ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and renewing calls for a permanent ceasefire.Hundreds gathered at Châtelet Square on the call of the Euro-Palestine Association and marched to Place de la Bourse, carrying Palestinian flags…
Large pro-Palestinian demonstrations and solidarity events took place across France, Sweden and the Netherlands on Saturday, condemning ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and renewing calls for a permanent ceasefire.
Hundreds gathered at Châtelet Square on the call of the Euro-Palestine Association and marched to Place de la Bourse, carrying Palestinian flags and placards reading “Boycott Israel” and “Freedom for Palestinians,” demanding sanctions from the French government. Some protesters displayed images of destruction in Gaza alongside Holocaust-era photographs.
In Stockholm, protesters marched from Odenplan to the Swedish Parliament. Police detained a pro-Israel woman accused of attacking demonstrators. Activist Jörgen Helsingen said the current truce is not a genuine ceasefire, and stressed that criticism of the Israeli government should not be equated with antisemitism.
Organized by the Plant an Olive Tree Foundation, kite-flying events were held in 11 Dutch cities to protest Israeli threats against Palestinian children flying kites near the border. In Rotterdam, participants flew kites in Palestinian flag colors reading “Free Palestine” and “Save Gaza.” The events followed Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s August 23 order for the military to take “immediate and forceful action” against kites launched from Gaza.
