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European NGOs condemn EU response to pro-Palestine protests
A coalition of European NGOs has condemned “the violent response” to protests in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Palestinian people.
The group is urging EU leaders to “uphold and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and expression”, it said in a statement.
It stated that police handling of such protests breached the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights.
“In one such example, during a protest on 2 October in Brussels, police in riot gear harassed peaceful protesters outside the European Parliament and at the Stock Exchange district. Officers used undue physical violence, including kicking and the use of batons, tear gas, and water cannon without prior warning,” the statement read.
Commenting in the wake of the ceasefire, European Civic Forum’s Giada Negri said: “Instead of cracking down on the right to protest, European leaders should work to foster a vibrant civic space, where everyone can freely express themselves, show solidarity, and demand justice.”
Left-wing Italian opposition parties support plan to deploy stabilisation force to Gaza
Italian opposition parties, including the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the left-wing Five Star Movement (M5S), have supported the government’s plan to deploy troops to Gaza as part of a peacekeeping mission, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
The PD said it supported the mission but criticised the government for being “invisible during the destruction”.
Similarly, M5S leader Giuseppe Conte said Italy could play a role in Gaza as they have “professionals who are consistently recognised around the world”.
“With a capacity for dialogue and the extraordinary ability to build a peace process with the local populations,” said Conte.
Last week, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his country is ready to send soldiers to Gaza as part of an international stabilisation force, outlined in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan.
“We can send the Carabinieri (national gendarmerie), we can send army troops. We have Carabinieri who are already in Palestine, so they know the territory,” Tajani said.
Turkiye emphasises readiness to join task force in Gaza
Tukiye says the Turkish Armed Forces are ready to join a multinational task force to be established in Gaza as per Trump’s ceasefire plan, National Defence Minister Yasar Guler said.
Guler said important sessions were held at the NATO defence ministers’ meeting yesterday, including discussions over the alliance and its ongoing humanitarian efforts, according to a statement from the ministry.
“Our satisfaction with the ceasefire achieved in Gaza and our hope that it will mark the beginning of a fair two-state solution, the importance of ensuring the full implementation of the ceasefire and uninterrupted humanitarian aid. Turkiye’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian support and the readiness of the Turkish Armed Forces to take part in the multinational task force to be established in Gaza,” Guler said.
