This Saturday, thousands gathered in Lisbon for a demonstration in solidarity with Palestine, marked by calls for peace in the Middle East and strong condemnations of Israel’s genocidal policies, as well as criticism of support from the United States and the European Union.
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After marching through the city center, the protesters assembled in Largo do Município for final speeches.
This event wrapped up ten days of demonstrations across the country against the ongoing war in the Middle East and what the organizers describe as the genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel.
Voices of Opposition
This sentiment was echoed by university professor Alan Stoleroff, an American Jew residing in Portugal. On Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, he chose to march in Lisbon in opposition to Israel and in support of an independent and peaceful Palestine.
The professor strongly criticized Israel, labeling it a terrorist state. He said:
“There has always been significant Jewish opposition to the Zionist project of occupation, stop arming this terrorist state; it is the only way to prevent war and genocide.”
Alan Stoleroff assured that many Jews oppose the violence and genocide imposed by Israel in Gaza. He emphasized that an increasing number reject the destructive policy carried out in their name by Jerusalem.
He stated that Jews stand in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers. He stated:
“The State of Israel does not represent us as Jews.”
He described the ongoing war as being waged by far-right fanatics who tarnish our good name. Stoleroff called for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from Gaza and an end to the violence.
Calls for Ceasefire and Accountability
Tiago Oliveira, the general secretary of the CGTP trade union and one of the organizers of the march, echoed this appeal.
Addressing the protesters gathered in front of Lisbon City Hall, he spoke about the thousands of dead and the devastated Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire.
And Israel, he warned, is now doing in southern Lebanon what it already did in Gaza, destroying and killing, with the support of the United States, the European Union, and NATO allies.
Inês Reis, from Projeto Ruído and also an organizer of the event, made a similar accusation. She recalled a year filled with destruction and fear, highlighting that this violence had led to 42,000 deaths, including 16,000 children.
Noor Tibi, a young Palestinian residing in Portugal, referred to the past year as one of horrors, stating that it hardly needs to be described since Israeli soldiers openly share their crimes on social media. However, she expressed optimism, declaring, “But I feel that the winds of change are coming.”
Growing Condemnation
Ilda Figueiredo, representing the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation, echoed this sentiment. She emphasized the urgent need for a free Palestine and lasting peace in the Middle East. Figueiredo said:
“Condemnation of Israeli barbarity is growing, and with it, the demand for peace. Israel cannot continue to act with impunity. That is why we are here to say that we do not want the genocide to continue.”
Carlos Almeida, from the Movement for the Rights of the Palestinian People and for Peace in the Middle East (MPPM), stated, “Israel has the end of Palestine in its genetic code.”
His remarks highlighted the perceived existential threat to Palestine within Israeli policies. During a speech that drew a dwindling audience as the interventions progressed, the organizer of the demonstration accused Western powers of actively participating in the crime committed by Israel.
They lamented that the banality of evil has taken hold, highlighting a growing concern about the normalization of violence and injustice in the ongoing conflict.
Future Initiatives
The initiative thus ended, with those responsible already announcing a concert for peace and solidarity with Palestine on the 26th in Lisbon.
Peace and solidarity were also the slogans of the demonstration this Saturday, which began with a large banner that summed up the objective: “Free Palestine, Peace in the Middle East”.
The demonstration featured a vibrant display of banners, slogans, and Palestinian flags. Among the messages were chants like “It is possible, it is urgent: peace in the Middle East,” “Peace yes, war no,” and “Israel is to blame for the massacre of its people,” all resonating loudly throughout the gathering.
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