Thousands protest in Switzerland against the war in Gaza

10:45

By: Azzat Manal

Thousands protest in Switzerland against the war in Gaza

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of several Swiss cities on Saturday to protest against the ongoing war in Gaza, calling for greater international pressure on Israel and stronger support for Palestinians. The rallies reflected wider European mobilisation over the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, where the conflict has caused extensive destruction and displacement.

In Lausanne, approximately 2,000 people gathered at Place de la Riponne before marching towards the railway station and Place de Montbenon. The demonstration was organised by pro-Palestinian groups, including Lausanne-Palestine, the Palestine Association and feminist and anti-fascist collectives linked to local universities.

The march was largely focused on denouncing Israeli military operations and criticising the Swiss government’s response to the conflict. Participants carried banners and chanted slogans accusing Switzerland of failing to take sufficiently strong action. One placard described the country’s neutrality as “stained with blood”, reflecting protesters’ objections to what they view as the authorities’ political and economic ties with Israel.

The demonstration was also marked by incidents of vandalism. According to the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA, masked individuals smashed windows at a UBS bank building in Place Saint-François, sprayed red paint and graffiti on its façade, and threw firecrackers towards security personnel. Police used tear gas to disperse a group of around 60 masked demonstrators. A police spokesperson later said the situation was under control.

Protest organisers and participants called for sanctions against Israel and criticised Switzerland’s policies on arms exports. Some groups also urged left-wing political leaders to move beyond statements of solidarity and take more concrete action in support of Palestinians.

Meanwhile, around 1,000 people took part in a separate demonstration in Zurich. The gathering included a minute of silence and a moment when protesters knelt along Bahnhofstrasse, one of the city’s main streets. Police maintained a significant presence throughout the event.

Veteran left-wing activist Andrea Stauffacher also participated in the Zurich march. The demonstration caused some traffic disruption in the city centre before returning to its starting point at Helvetiaplatz.

The rallies took place amid continued international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, home to approximately two million Palestinians. Protest movements across Europe, including demonstrations in London, have called for an end to the violence, increased humanitarian assistance and stronger diplomatic measures.

The events in Switzerland highlighted both the scale of public mobilisation over Gaza and the challenges authorities face in managing demonstrations where peaceful protest is accompanied by isolated acts of vandalism. While most participants gathered to express political opposition to the war, the incidents in Lausanne added a security dimension to a day of demonstrations across the country.