Thousands gather in Swiss capital to show solidarity with Palestinians

Thousands of people demonstrated their solidarity with the Palestinians at the parliament square in Bern on Saturday.

Demonstrators travelled to Bern from all over Switzerland. The large square in front of the federal parliament filled up quickly. Because it was raining heavily and the participants were sheltering under umbrellas, it was difficult to estimate their numbers. The organisers claim around 10,000 participants.

At the pro-Palestinian rally, participants called for an end to the violence in Gaza. Speakers emphasised that they deplored the violence and civilian casualties on all sides.

Nevertheless, hardly anyone giving speeches made secret of the fact that Israel is seen as the occupying power of the Palestinian territories, which must ultimately be liberated. Speakers accused the state of Israel of operating an apartheid system and ethnic cleansing. They claimed the system only works because the US and European nations provide financial and military aid.

The rally participants chanted "Israel Terrorist" as well as the controversial slogan "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free". The slogan has been labelled anti-Semitic by Israelis, as it denies Israel's right to exist. ...