On the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, two protests in Luxembourg City highlighted the deeply divided perspectives on the ongoing conflict, with one group calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and another condemning what they described as a genocide against Palestinians.
Two commemorative protests were held in Luxembourg City on Monday, the first anniversary of the 7 October attacks on Isreal by Hamas. One of both groups requested that all Israeli hostages be released while the other stood up against what they labelled a genocide on Palestinians.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented and brutal attack on Israel, with over 1,300 citizens killed, including over 350 who at the time attended a music festival. About 250 were taken hostage and transported to the Gaza Strip.
Pro-Palestinian rally
Police estimate that 60–80 people convened at Hamilius square to express solidarity with the Palestinian population. Since the war began a year ago, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to figures from the local Health Ministry. Protesters therefore argue that what Israel is inflicting on Gaza is a genocide and that the roots of the conflict reach back further than just 7 October 2023.
"We are focused on putting an end to the genocide and making people understand that after 76 years of occupation and apartheid, this cannot continue", said Fatima Kurtic, a member of Luxembourg4palestine. "You can tell that people on the Israeli side who stand up against the genocide are of the same opinion, they know exactly what is going on, that they have checkpoints. There is so much going on that is simply swept under carpet."
Protesters at Hamilius square further voiced their opinion that the Luxembourg government can do more to bring about a regional ceasefire. Dalia Khader, who has family in both Jerusalem and Ramallah, explained: "They have to act, they have to act, the time has come. There should be sanctions, such as the ones we issued for countries like Russia. It is time to understand that what is happening is disproportionate and that we need to start acting and come up with organised diplomatic solutions. Sanctions are a starting point, until the situation has calmed down and a ceasefire has been put into place."
Hostages to be released
Around the same time as the pro-Palestinian rally, an estimated 200–250 people came together at Place Clairefontaine to request the freeing of hostages in the hands of Hamas. According to one of the protesters, hostages in Gaza are held against "all humanitarian norms and regulations, without medicinal care, without proper treatment, women are being raped, they live in a constant fear of death, with even two kids among them, one younger than five. We gather in the centre of town every weekend, for everyone who listens, to demand the freeing of hostages."
Israel should be a country where Jewish people can live in safety, protesters argue, noting that this is not a given anywhere else in the world, not even in Luxembourg.
Rebecca Marciano, member of the '7 October Collectif', stressed that the Luxembourg government should assume greater responsibility: "On the local level, I think the Luxembourg government needs to combat antisemitism. We have a hard time being defended, we have a hard time signalling a complaint, and we have a hard time being heard, despite the existence of RIAL. The conflict should not be imported to Luxembourg, we want to live in peace in Luxembourg. We defend innocent victims wherever they are. I do not wish for any more deaths, the Palestinian children count for me just as much as Israeli children do."
Nevertheless, Marciano also said that she was unable to grasp why there was another protest held in the city on 7 October, arguing that there are 364 other days in the year to demonstrate for other causes.
