BRUSSELS: Around 9,000 demonstrators marched through Brussels on Sunday calling for an end of Israel’s fierce bombardment and fighting in Gaza, in a pro-Palestinian protest that ended in the EU district.

The march came a day before EU foreign ministers will meet their Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Saudi and Jordanian counterparts in a string of meetings to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the plight of Palestinian civilians.

Participants in the peaceful “Justice for Pales­tine” demonstration, whose size was estimated by Brussels police, yelled out “stop genocide”, “Israel: terrorist” and “free Gaza”.

Some also cried out “EU, shame on you” for perceived inaction by Brussels to protect Pales­tinian civilians while others urged a boycott on Israeli goods and businesses.

“We really need to unite against the genocide happening in Gaza and fight for an end to Israel’s occupation,” said one demonstrator, Victor Dumont. “No people deserves that, whatever side they’re on — it’s not possible,” said another, Bahija Dioure.

On Monday, the 27 EU ministers will first meet with Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz, before sitting down separately with the Palestinian Authority’s top diplomat Riyad al-Maliki. Katz and Maliki are not expected to meet each other.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2024