Thousands of people joined the demonstration outside the European Commission in Brussels on Sunday afternoon to protest against the situation in the Gaza Strip and the European Union's response to the crisis.
According to organisers, 40,000 people participated in the protest, while a police spokesperson put the attendance at a more conservative 12,000. The aim of the event, organised by the Belgian-Palestinian Association, was to call for an end to the violence, which has affected civilians living in the Gaza Strip.
The demonstration began at around 14:00 on Sunday at a packed Schuman roundabout in Brussels. Those taking part in the action vociferously called on the European Union to do everything in its power to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as to ensure the protection of all civilians and allow them access to international aid.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was targeted by many chants and placards, with leaflets being distributed which juxtaposed her comments on the war in Ukraine with her statements on the Israel-Hamas war. Protestors were also calling on the European Union to demand Israel urgently lift the siege of Gaza from its border and promote a response rooted in respect for international law.
Organisers say 40,000 people were present. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Since the Hamas terror attack on Israel on 7 October, the Israeli army has heavily bombed the Gaza Strip. While targeting military assets of Hamas, these have often lied within densely populated areas, which has caused the deaths of thousands of civilians. Israel says that Hamas uses the civilian population as human shields.
As part of its response, Israel initially cut off supplies of water, electricity, food and fuel from its side of the border. Humanitarian aid has started to arrive to Gaza in recent days from its border with Egypt as the Israeli Defence Forces prepare a ground invasion of the strip. The ground offensive has been delayed to enable a prisoner exchange and the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.
Protestors also called on the EU authorities to provide political and financial support for the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the situation in the region, while also calling on them to tackle the structural causes of the current conflict.
