Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Athens on Sunday to express solidarity with Palestine and call for an end to Greek cooperation with Israel. The protest began at Monastiraki Square and moved towards Syntagma Square, with attendees waving flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Solidarity with Palestine, no cooperation with Israel.” Organizers included the Palestinian Community in Greece, the Stop the War – Solidarity with Palestine Alliance, March to Gaza Greece, and various left-wing groups. In anticipation of the protests, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning to its citizens in Greece, advising them to avoid protest areas and refrain from displaying symbols that could identify them as Israeli or Jewish. The backdrop for these protests includes the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties and destruction since October 2023.
Why It Matters
The protests in Athens reflect a growing international movement against military and political alliances with Israel amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the escalation of violence on October 8, 2023, nearly 73,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, with over 173,000 injured, mostly women and children. The destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with about 90% of it reportedly damaged or destroyed. These statistics underscore the urgency of the protests and highlight the broader implications of international responses to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
