Pro-Palestinian protesters in Lithuania decry ties with Israel
Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry in the capital to protest against the visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
The demonstrators rallied on Juozo Tumo-Vaizganto Street in Vilnius, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards, Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT reported.
They chanted “While Europe finances, Israel bombs”, “Let Gaza live”, and “Since when has Lithuania supported the occupier?”
The protest coincided with a meeting between Saar and Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, who were expected to discuss bilateral ties, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the Middle East.
Police were present at the scene, but the protest remained peaceful.
Last week, President Gitanas Nauseda described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic”, stressing that Europe must act to prevent more civilian casualties.
Israel using food as weapon of war in Gaza: Norway’s minister
Norway’s Minister for International Development Asmund Aukrust has told Al Jazeera:
- Food is being used as a weapon of war in Gaza, which is a violation of international law.
- We call for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Aid trucks must be allowed into Gaza immediately.
- We continue to mobilise efforts to pressure Israel to allow the entry of aid.
- We are working to mobilise additional efforts at the international level to condemn Israel.
- The Israeli mechanism for distributing aid is inadequate and violates international law.
