Several thousand people gathered at the Brussels North Station on Sunday afternoon for a demonstration in support of the people of Palestine. The organisers wanted again to denounce the situation in the Gaza Strip and express their solidarity with the Palestinian people. ‘There is no ceasefire. That is an illusion’ activists claim. According to the organisers, 15,000 demonstrators took part, while the police put their number at 6,000.
At the Brussels North Station demonstrators were treated to several speeches at the start of the demo. Shortly after 3 p.m., the crowd moved on to the Jean Rey Square. Police then closed most of the access roads to the Brussels North and Rogier areas.
Demand for sanctions
According to the organisers, the ceasefire in Gaza is an ‘illusion’, but they remain combative. ‘This is not the time to give up hope, not after so many historic mobilisations.’
Since the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas came into force in October, the Palestinian authorities have already identified hundreds of violations of the truce by Israeli armed forces. At least 245 Palestinians have been killed. According to Israel, Hamas has also violated the peace agreement on several occasions.
The protesters say they will continue to demonstrate until effective sanctions are imposed on Israel.
The previous demonstrations in June and September attracted more than 75,000 protesters each time. In early October this year, Hamas and Israel reached an agreement on the first phase of a peace plan, which came about under the impetus of US President Donald J. Trump.