Palestine support protest held in Switzerland

Activists gathered near the Mont Blanc Bridge and walked for hours in the city center with Palestinian flags.

Demonstrators chanted slogans in Arabic, English and French in support of the Palestinian people and called for a boycott of Israel and an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Activists reacted to the Swiss government, as well as Israel and the USA, on the grounds that they were complicit in what was happening in Gaza.

Speaking to AA correspondent, Swiss demonstrator Christiane Boessonnas stated that she participated in the protest to draw attention to the unbearable situation in Palestine.

Reacting to their government's failure to take action against the Israeli government, Boessonnas said, "There are no words to describe this (what happened in Gaza)." he said.

Another demonstrator, Maeva, said she was here to protest the colonization and killing of the Palestinian people by Israel for years.

Maeva said, "I went to Palestine this summer. I was in the occupied territories in the West Bank. I could see firsthand how severe and powerful the occupation was and how everyone there was affected by this situation. Therefore, it is of great importance for me and everyone that we stand by them, show solidarity and force our governments to stop their support for Israel. I think what has been happening in Palestine for 70 years can also be described as genocide." he said.

"This is exactly what is happening in Gaza right now."

Ruben Cafisch also pointed out the importance of supporting the Palestinians, saying that the Palestinians are especially now in a period when they are facing incredible pressure from the Israeli government.

Stating that children in Gaza have to grow up in inhumane conditions, Cafisch said:

"They need to grow up free of war, without the fear of bombs falling on their heads, without the constant fear of the Israeli government taking them away, detaining them, or something like that. This is a fundamental right they have. Genocide is the systematic killing of people belonging to a large group, and that's exactly what's happening in Gaza right now."

The march, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours under intense security measures by the police, ended in Plainpalais Square.