On Sunday 27,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Brussels on a national march calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The demonstrators are worried the situation for the civilian population in Gaza is hopeless: over 18,000 Palestinians are believed to have been killed in 72 days of war. During the national protest, the protesters demanded an end to the bloodshed.
27,000 protesters in Brussels for march against violence in Gaza: 'Immediate and permanent ceasefire' (VIDEO)
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Around 2pm, thousands of people set off from the Simon Bolivarlaan near the North Station and headed for the South Station. Participants carried Palestinian flags and banners calling for a "Ceasefire Now" and "Free free Palestine". The demonstration concluded around 6pm.
The initiative for the demonstration came from a host of civil society organisations, including 11.11.11, Broederlijk Delen, Pax Christi Flanders, the Association belgo-palestinienne (ABP) and Een Andere joodse Stem (EAJS).
With 27,000 participants, this is the largest demonstration organised in Belgium so far.
Boycott
The demonstration went off without incident although branches of coffee chain Starbucks and fast-food chain KFC were booed. A branch of fashion chain Zara was smeared with fake blood and covered with stickers reading "Free Palestine" and "Gaza genocide".
The retail chain came under scrutiny in recent weeks after a controversial advertising campaign. Zara showed its latest coat collection in a setting where the model was surrounded by mannequins in white sheets, pieces of cardboard and wooden boxes. A scenario many said was reminiscent of the war scenes in Gaza. The Spanish fashion giant has meanwhile taken the photos offline, but the chain remains on the boycott list of several pro-Palestinian organisations.
