© Didier Weber
With the message 'stop the genocide in Gaza', the Palestinian community is taking to the streets worldwide, including in Luxembourg.
On Friday noon, a peaceful demonstration took place at Place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City.
The demonstrators, primarily Palestinians residing in the Grand Duchy, express criticism of what they perceive as a disproportionate Israeli reaction. While it was Hamas that initiated an attack on Israel a week ago, the demonstrators argue that the entire population should not bear the collective punishment for the actions of a few.
"Hamas makes up the smallest percentage of Palestinians, but it does not represent all of them. You have to differentiate between them, you can't confuse the two. We want peace, and under no circumstances do we want people to die on either side."
A humanitarian crisis has now broken out in Gaza as a result of the bombings, with civilians having no access to water, food or electricity. One young demonstrator said she can't reach out to her family because internet access has also been cut off. She has no idea how her sisters, aged 10 and 12, are doing or if they are even alive. She added it was now up to the international community to respond quickly to stop the bombings.
"I appeal to the international community - the European Union, the European Commission, all human rights organisations. We are human beings with feelings, we have children and families we are worried about, just like the Israelis."
The Palestinian community fears that Gaza will soon cease to exist without international aid.
"If we don't do anything for the residents there, Gaza will soon disappear because of the bombing."
More protests planned for Saturday
Given the situation in the Middle East, a series of protests are planned in Luxembourg this Saturday.
The liberal Jewish community is organising a commemorative moment at the Synagogue of Esch titled 'Stand with Israel'. They want to commemorate the victims of the Hamas attacks and pray for the hostages to stay safe and come home quickly. An increased police presence is also planned for the demonstration.
The 'Committee for Peace in the Middle East' is organizing another demonstration in Luxembourg City, aimed at expressing solidarity with the victims from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their core demand is the protection of civilians in Israel and Gaza.
The victims of bombings in the Palestinian territories will also take center stage at the "Pyramid of Solidarity" event in Luxembourg City, hosted by the NGO Handicap International.
