Brussels - Rome - The Hague: Europe and the Arabs
Reactions have been circulating from various activists and circles in several European capitals and cities, demanding that every effort be made to release individuals arrested by the Israeli authorities after participating in the Gaza aid flotilla. In the Netherlands, in written statements we received, Ahmed Markush, Mayor of Arnhem, called on dismissed Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Wiel to "make every effort to secure the swift and safe release" of the Dutch participants in the Gaza flotilla. Among the activists detained by Israel are citizens of Arnhem. Markush wrote to van Wiel: "The families and the community are deeply concerned."
After the release, the mayor also urged the citizens to be repatriated quickly. He said he was confident that "every effort would be made using all appropriate consular and diplomatic means."
Approximately 500 activists participated in the "Global Resilience Flotilla" to Gaza, including a Dutch delegation of 16 participants. They were on their way to Gaza in more than 40 boats, but were stopped, arrested, and detained in... The port of the Israeli city of Ashdod.
Major unions in Italy organized a general strike and widespread protests in support of Gaza and the "Global Resilience Flotilla," and in rejection of the Israeli blockade. This paralyzed transportation in major cities and prompted criticism of the position of the government of Giorgia Meloni.
On a separate note, but within the same framework, Italy witnessed widespread popular protests yesterday, Friday, with the participation of thousands of citizens. The protests were called for by major unions in support of the "Global Resilience Flotilla," which was carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and to denounce the position of the government of Giorgia Meloni regarding the Israeli blockade imposed on the Strip.
The sudden general strike, which the authorities deemed "illegal," disrupted transportation in major cities, while a minimum of services were provided during rush hour.
Maurizio Landini, Secretary General of the Italian General Confederation of Labor, the country's largest union, said that the squares were crowded with protesters, noting that the strike reflects "the humanity of honorable people and their determination to end the genocide that governments ignore or are complicit in."
These actions come just ten days after widespread demonstrations in support of For the Palestinians, Rome witnessed gatherings in front of the central train station, with many flights delayed or canceled. Around 10,000 people participated in a march that started from the Colosseum in Milan, in parallel with protests in other European and international cities, including Mexico.
In the Belgian capital, students at two high schools in Brussels suspended classes in protest against Israel's interception of the Freedom Flotilla's humanitarian aid ship, which also carried a number of Brussels residents. The incident occurred on Thursday at the Lycée Integrale Roger Lallement in Saint-Gilles, and was followed by students from the Ecole Active in Uccle on Friday.
In a joint statement, also posted on social media, the students said they "woke up to news that deeply affected us: the Israeli state's interception of the Freedom Flotilla."
Their criticism is not limited to Israel alone, but also includes the Belgian government. "We, the students of the Lycée Integrale Roger Lallement in Saint-Gilles, have decided to protest the inaction of the Belgian state, which failed to protect the seven Belgian citizens on board the boats, and especially the lack of A clear stance on genocide.
Supported by their teachers, the students gathered in the schoolyard this morning. They said, "In the absence of any way to open the Gaza port, we have decided to close the school." The students held up protest banners bearing slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "From the river to the sea: Palestine will be free."
Every Thursday
They also want to "mobilize other schools to suspend classes every Thursday" and remind them "that the genocide in Gaza is not the only one," in addition to preparing educational lessons about current events.
According to the students, their message remains clear: "The Palestinian state must be unconditionally recognized by the Belgian state, and Israeli companies must be boycotted." They also want to end the European economic partnership with Israel. "The genocide in Gaza is a disgrace to humanity. We are all children of Gaza."
Their message quickly spread, and on Friday, the protest spread to the Ecole Active secondary school on Stalstraat Street in Uccle. According to La Derniere Heure, around 300 students are refusing to enter classrooms. Instead, they are protesting in the street, waving Palestinian flags.
Marlow Police announced: "Police are present to ensure the safety of students. The situation on the ground is calm.
This came after the European Commission in Brussels said it "respects the commitment of all participants in the flotilla," as Israeli forces intercepted boats carrying aid to Gaza and arrested activists, including Greta Thunberg. A Commission spokesperson said Brussels officials had the "right" to join the protest group "EU Staff for Peace," but must also be aware of their contractual "obligations" to remain neutral.
This came a day after Brussels witnessed clashes at the Gaza protest. What began as a peaceful demonstration against Israel's interception of the Freedom Flotilla escalated when hundreds of protesters clashed with police late Thursday. Police fired tear gas and used batons against the protesters after they ignored agreed routes and attempted to enter restricted areas. Several protesters were arrested, according to the Prose website.