Belgrade protesters demand Gaza ceasefire

Hundreds of protesters marched through Belgrade calling on the Serbian government to adopt a firmer stance against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, filling Republic Square with Palestinian flags, placards and chants demanding a ceasefire. Organised by students, activists, trade union members and civil society groups, demonstrators carried signs reading “Stop killing children,” “Freedom for Palestine” and “Serbia, take a stand,” and accused international actors of moral hypocrisy and inaction. Speakers urged Belgrade to press for immediate humanitarian access, suspend trade and security cooperation with Israel and join calls for a halt to what they described as collective punishment of civilians.

The rally remained largely peaceful but escalated briefly when a smaller group attempted to approach the Israeli embassy. Police, who had cordoned off routes to the diplomatic district, clashed with that contingent and detained a few people; organisers said the protest was nonviolent and criticised authorities’ response. As evening fell, participants lit candles for civilians killed in Gaza and vowed weekly demonstrations until the conflict abated.

The protests in Belgrade form part of a wider wave of pro‑Palestinian demonstrations across Europe, with major turnouts in cities such as Athens, Madrid and Berlin. Demonstrators linked the rallies to broader outrage over the Gaza offensive that followed a cross‑border attack by Hamas in October 2023. Israeli tallies say about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in that attack; Gaza health authorities report more than 67,000 Palestinians killed since the offensive began, figures that have prompted accusations of genocide against Israel—charges firmly rejected by Israeli officials.

The Belgrade protest unfolded as activists involved in a separate maritime aid effort returned to Europe. Members of a flotilla seeking to breach the naval blockade of Gaza were intercepted at sea by Israeli forces; more than 450 activists were detained and at least 170 have been deported so far. The latest group of 29 deportees touched down in Madrid and were greeted by supporters. Critics and human rights groups allege mistreatment and restricted access to lawyers for some detainees, claims denied by Israeli authorities, which maintain the blockade is lawful and the flotilla a provocation.