A protest staged near the EU institutions gathered activists, human‑rights advocates, and members of a recent Gaza‑bound flotilla. Demonstrators called on the European Union to leverage its economic clout to increase pressure on Israel amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The rally, organised by the human‑rights campaign Avaaz, featured Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Participants bore signs reading “EU, stop buying what Israel steals” and called for bans on products such as dates, avocados and other agricultural goods originating from the settlements.
Avaaz spokesperson Pascal Vollenweider argued that the European market gives the EU considerable leverage over Israeli policy. Among the speakers was Arno Meyns, a flotilla participant who recounted being detained by Israeli forces during a maritime mission last month.
The demonstration formed part of a wider campaign seeking stronger European action ahead of the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on 18 June.
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