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In Stockholm, the demonstrators gathered at Norrbro outside the Riksdag. Several of the speakers directed harsh criticism at the rulers.
1 / 2Photo: Christine Olsson/TT
Thousands of people gathered around Sweden on Saturday to show support for the Palestinian people and call on the government to work for a ceasefire in Gaza.
– We do not agree that it would be a defensive war, says Sara Sjölander, one of the demonstrators.
At the demonstration outside the Riksdag in Stockholm, several ministers got the boot from the speakers. The opposition was also criticized.
– Magdalena Andersson, has the cat taken your tongue? says one of the speakers.
– Sweden has previously had a very progressive policy for the Palestinian people and the fact that we are silent now I think is outrageous and cowardly. Spineless, says Sara Sjölander, who is among the audience.
In both Stockholm and Malmö, around 2,000 people participated, according to the police’s estimate. Demonstrations were also held in Gothenburg and outside the Christian Democratic Parliament in Helsingborg.
Collecting money
Sara Sjölander thinks that the turnout indicates that there is a large public opinion against Israel’s warfare.
– It shows that there is critical thinking and that we do not agree with the narrative being pumped out that this would be a defensive war.
Nor Ajami is raising money for the aid organization Islamic relief by selling his street art at the demonstration.
– I am here to contribute in my own way. I hope the government hears the people calling them and pushing for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
One of the motifs contains the debated phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
“A misunderstanding”
Some say it’s an anti-Semitic chant, others say it’s a slogan for Palestinian freedom.
– The quote is old and has nothing to do with anti-Semitism. It is a misunderstanding. The people between the river and the sea must have the same rights, both Palestinians and Israelis, says Nor Ajami.
“Stop killing the children of Gaza,” the protesters chant. Doctor Menna Shalabi has had nightmares about the images being spread from the Gaza Strip.
– I can only imagine the screams that the doctors are forced to hear when they operate on people without assessment. The doctors will be scarred, the patients will be scarred. It is inhumane what is happening right now, she says.