Around 200 demonstrators gathered on the Luxemburgplein outside the European Parliament in Brussels on Sunday to express their solidarity with the Palestinians and with Iran. They did so to mark Al-Quds Day, a celebration that has also attracted criticism in the past due to the anti-Jewish rhetoric often associated with it. When a small group of counterdemonstrators turned up, the police were forced to intervene.
Foreign News
Place Lux becomes flashpoint for supporters and opponents of Iran’s Islamic Republic, police forced to intervene
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Al-Quds Day falls annually on the last Friday of the month of Ramadan and is dedicated to solidarity with the Palestinian people. However, the day is also controversial. It was established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the architect of the Iranian Revolution who transformed Iran into a strictly religious-fundamentalist state and founded the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the IRG.
This year, the EU placed the IRG on its list of terrorist organisations due to its role in the bloody repression of the Iranian street protests. Critics point out that the day is often characterised by the chanting of slogans calling for the destruction of Israel and glorifying the Revolutionary Guard.
“Al-Quds Day is symbolic throughout the world,” a protester told Brussels media outlet BRUZZ, refuting that view. “We have no problem with Jews, but we do have a problem with Zionism. Jerusalem must once again become a place where Islam, Judaism and Christianity can coexist. That is why I am here today.”
Many other protesters are reluctant to comment. "It’s always the same countries waging war in the Middle East: Israel and the United States," was a sentiment often expressed. Protesters brandished banners bearing slogans including “Stop the illegal war in Iran” and “Hands off Iran”.
At the start of the demonstration at 2 pm, the organisers called on participants not to chant controversial slogans. “No death to,” they urged.
"They call us terrorists, but Iran and Palestine are the victims. Let’s show that by demonstrating peacefully here." Alongside Palestinian and Iranian flags, various images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his successor Mojtaba Khamenei soon appeared.
Counter-protesters appear
After about half an hour, around 20 counter-protesters suddenly turned up. Several stones were thrown and a number of kicks were landed, but the police were quickly able to intervene.
For about 10 minutes, the two groups – separated by around 50 officers – shouted at each other and traded offensive gestures. The police then escorted the group of counter-protesters away from the square.