Mass protesters erupt across Europe condemning Israeli attacks on Gaza, Lebanon

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Europe cities on Saturday, voicing their outrage over Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Demonstrations were held in cities including Stockholm, Helsinki, Paris, Geneva, and Istanbul, where activists called for an immediate halt to the violence and urged global action to stop what they termed as “genocide.”

In Stockholm, hundreds marched from Odenplan to the Israeli Embassy, waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Chants of “Hands off Lebanon” and “Free Palestine” echoed through the streets. Swedish artist and activist Samuel Girma delivered a powerful message, labeling Israel as “a terrorist state” and urging Sweden to cut trade ties with Israel following “terror attacks on Beirut and Lebanon.” Dr. Uno Horn, a Swedish physician, added to the condemnation, stating, “They are killing children. It’s not war; it’s a terror attack.”

Similar protests broke out in Helsinki, where demonstrators demanded an end to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. In Paris, hundreds gathered near the historic Innocents Fountain, holding banners that read, “End the genocide in Gaza” and “Boycott Israel.” Many wore keffiyehs and carried images of Shireen Abu Akleh, the Palestinian journalist killed by Israeli forces in 2022. Cyrena, one of the Parisian protesters, criticized the lack of Western intervention, stating, “I have Lebanese friends and colleagues whose families are trapped there, and still, the West remains inactive.”

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In Istanbul, members of the Palestinian Action Committee organized a march from Levent Metro Station to the Israeli Consulate, where protesters chanted, “Murderer Israel, get out of Palestine” and “Murderer Israel, get out of Lebanon.” Umit Doğru, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Action Committee, referred to Israel as a “death machine,” accusing it of widespread destruction across the region. He praised the resilience of the Palestinian and Lebanese people, emphasizing that their struggle continues to inspire hope globally.

A separate protest organized by the Turkish NGO Human Movie Team took place outside the United Nations Office in Geneva. The demonstrators, including members from Türkiye and the Swiss Muslim community, carried Palestinian flags and demanded urgent action against the violence in Gaza, which has persisted for over a year. Tulay Gokcimen, founder of the Human Movie Team, highlighted the devastating toll of the conflict: “It has been 356 days since the genocide began in Gaza, with nearly 42,000 Palestinians killed according to official records.” She condemned Israel for bombing hospitals and blocking access to essential resources such as food, water, and medicine, resulting in widespread suffering and death.

Academic Enes Yalman also addressed the Geneva crowd, stressing that the international community must not normalize what he described as a “genocide.” He urged continued pressure on the United Nations and global organizations to take action, stating, “We will never accept this. It is our moral duty as humans.”

Across Europe, protesters called on their governments to halt arms sales to Israel and take a firm stand against the escalating violence, hoping to galvanize international efforts toward peace and justice in the Middle East.