Pro-Palestine protesters gather in Paris
Video posted on X, and verified by Al Jazeera, shows a large gathering of people showing support for Palestinians in Gaza and for an end to Israel’s war at Place de La Republique in the French capital.
Early in the war, France banned protests against the war and cracked down heavily against demonstrators. However, by the beginning of November 2023, protests in solidarity with Palestinians were allowed.
Dutch Scholars for Palestine condemns police use of force at student protest
Faculty members at Amsterdam University have denounced the response by authorities to a pro-Palestine demonstration by students that ended violently when Dutch police intervened with force.
Police used a bulldozer to knock down barricades and detained 140 people on Monday. Teachers and university employees angered by the police response called for another protest on Tuesday.
“Students and staff describe the use of pepper spray, police batons, police dogs and bulldozers to forcefully remove them. People were injured because of this excessive violence,” a group calling itself Dutch Scholars for Palestine said in a statement.
“We firmly and unequivocally insist upon the rights of students and scholars to engage in protest. We deplore the University of Amsterdam administration’s reliance on using violence instead of engaging in the students’ justified demands.”
Amsterdam University said in a statement: “We deeply regret that things went the way they did. Demonstrating is permitted at the UvA, but without covered faces, barricades or an atmosphere of intimidation.”
Amsterdam University students set up a solidarity encampment for Palestinians on campus
Clashes break out in pro-Palestinian rally in Greece
Clashes broke out between police and protesters during a pro-Palestine rally in central Athens. More than 300 people carrying Palestinian flags and banners reading “Hands off Rafah!” rallied outside the parliament building in the Greek capital.
“We are here in solidarity and we will respond any time the Palestinians call [for solidarity],” said protester Antonis Davanellos, a 60-year old pensioner.
Police fired tear gas to disperse a small group of protesters who climbed up the gate of the Egyptian embassy opposite parliament. The clashes were brief.
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