– Nearly 5,000 pro-Palestine demonstrators in the streets of Geneva
Participants called for an end to the “massacres of innocents” committed by the Israeli army and an end to the “apartheid regime.”
Published: October 21, 2023, 8:14 p.m
The demonstrators leave the Parc des Cropettes.
PIERRE ALBOUY
“Israel a murderer, Israel a terrorist!” The slogan slaps onto the cobblestones of Cornavin train station. A week after the first demonstration for Palestine in Geneva, the movement appears to be far from exhausted. Around 5,000 people marched from the Cropettes across the Pâquis to Wilson Palace.
The demonstrators followed the call of the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) association. “We are gathered here to denounce the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians. “We demand an immediate end to the Israeli bombing raids and an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip as well as an end to military cooperation with Israel,” explains spokesman Emilien Clerc. The association believes that the boycott is the most effective form of resistance to bring Israel to its knees. “We call on nations to respect international law,” he added. These rules cannot only be applied to Ukrainians.”
After the speeches, the procession sets off. On the way, the young Senada explains to us why she took to the streets: “We have to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip and provide humanitarian aid.” Twenty trucks for two million inhabitants are not enough.” A few steps away, Theo hopes that those from Israel announced ground operation is a bluff. “They don’t have the means to do it,” he assures.
Most activists condemn Palestinian bombings in the Gaza Strip.
PIERRE ALBOUY
Not far from that, Tomas disagrees. “They are capable of this, it scares me,” he admits. This Genevan demonstrates to demand “an end to the genocide against the Palestinians and an end to the apartheid regime and the massacres carried out by Israel”. Wasn’t it Hamas that opened hostilities? “This argument obscures the entire historical context,” replies the young man. Israel has been oppressing the Palestinians for years. Obviously, the most extreme activists are being persecuted in this context.”
The demonstration progresses in the streets of Pâquis. The residents applaud the procession at the windows. “Zionists, fascists, you are the terrorists!” shout the demonstrators. Many tears stream down faces. “I have family there,” one mother murmurs, refusing to say more.
The mood rises as we approach Wilson Palace. With a smile, Emilien Clerc estimates that 6,000 people responded to the call. On the police side there were 4,000 participants. “There were no tags or provocative banners,” says Aline Dard, spokeswoman.
A protester holds a green smoke bomb.
PIERRE ALBOUY
Emilia Ghidoni has been a journalist at the Tribune de Genève since August 2022. He reports in particular on mobility issues and the municipality of Vernier. He has a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in international relations.More information@emilien_ghidoni
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