Gaza march draws more than 70,000 participants to Brussels

A march to draw attention to the situation in Gaza saw more than 70,000 participants in Brussels over the weekend, with protestors condemning "the complicity of institutions, states and companies in the crimes of the Israeli regime".

The march started at Brussels North, where several speeches were given before demonstrators marched to Place Jean Rey, close to the European institutions. Demonstrators also hung a large Palestinian flag from a tower crane at Rogier.

“Although the federal government finally decided on 2 September to take measures against Israel, these fall far short of all Belgium's international obligations,” said Ludo De Brabander of Vrede vzw and the National Coalition for Gaza, adding that these small steps in the right direction are not enough to end Belgium's complicity in the genocide.

Protesters say the EU and its member states must take a stand against what they called "the Israeli-American plan for ethnic cleansing of Gaza".

According to Gregory Mauzé, spokesperson for the Belgian-Palestinian Association (ABP), the federal agreement is not enough “to end our country's complicity in genocide. Moreover, Belgium must demand that the European Union impose sanctions on Israel.”

Specifically, demonstrators are calling for a complete embargo on all military cooperation and arms trade between Israel and Belgium. They also want a national ban on all investments or commercial, political, economic and diplomatic relations that contribute to the continuation of the illegal occupation.

“The Belgian government must go beyond symbolism and back up its words with decisive and comprehensive measures,” said the Palestinian collective Beitna.

A previous march attracted about 100,000 people. This time, more than 200 organisations supported the demonstration: 11.11.11 was flanked by trade unions, Jewish and Palestinian organisations, youth movements, religious groups, cultural organisations and charities, among others.

Dozens of Bikers for Palestine also travelled to Brussels for a rolling protest.

“It's really this pressure that works,” said Nathalie Jane of the organisation 11.11.11.

“We see a large proportion of the Belgian population mobilising for Palestine, which is very sensitive to what is happening.

"It's quite unbearable to see, and I think that's what affects most Belgians and motivates them to take to the streets. I think it's working, we've seen that this week, and it has to continue, so we have to keep up the pressure."