Capitals: Agencies
Many European and other cities and capitals witnessed mass demonstrations, demanding a ceasefire and the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Thousands participated in the demonstrations in Berlin, London, Paris, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Milan, Italy, and Helsingborg, Sweden, in support of the Palestinian people.
These demonstrations coincided with the 176th day of the war on Gaza, as well as with “Land Day,” which the Palestinians celebrated in light of the Israeli attacks.
According to Sky News, the British capital, London, witnessed a massive demonstration denouncing the continuation of the war, the targeting of civilians in Gaza, and the prevention of the entry of humanitarian aid.
As for Berlin, demonstrators at a train station chanted slogans in support of the Palestinian people, and demanded an end to the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, before clashes broke out between participants in the protest demonstration and policemen.
The police in Berlin said that "the demonstration was unlicensed and was impeding the movement of travelers," noting that they arrested some demonstrators.
The South African city of Johannesburg also witnessed a protest demonstration in front of the American Consulate in support of Palestine and to protest the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and called for a ceasefire.
In Geneva, Switzerland, a demonstration took place in which thousands participated despite heavy rain. They gathered in front of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights before heading to the city center. During the demonstration, they chanted slogans against Israel and in support of the rights of the Palestinian people.
In Paris, demonstrators demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on the occasion of Land Day, and carried Palestinian flags, chanting slogans in support of the Palestinian people, peace and justice.
On the other hand, nearly 200 private Israeli companies allowed their employees to be absent from work, to participate in demonstrations against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, and to demand the conclusion of a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian factions in Gaza.
The Israeli newspaper "Israel Today" reported, "The Israeli Business Forum, which includes nearly 200 private companies, announced that it will allow its interested employees to join the demonstrations against the government and demand the conclusion of an exchange deal, which will be held in Jerusalem next week."
The newspaper said that companies “will allow employees to be absent or leave early to participate in demonstrations, without deducting them from their accrued vacation.”
The newspaper quoted the leaders of the business forum as saying that “Israel” is in “a state of emergency and the population must be allowed to exercise their right to express their voice.”
The business forum includes the largest private companies in Israel, which employ the largest percentage of the workforce in the private sector, according to the same newspaper.
On Saturday evening, huge demonstrations were held in Tel Aviv, in which tens of thousands of settlers participated, to pressure the Netanyahu government to conclude an exchange deal and hold early elections.