Dancing, singing and shouting protesters gathered in front of the Israeli embassy in Oslo on Tuesday afternoon. The organizers demand that Norway boycott Israel, but distance themselves from the flag-burning during the demonstration.
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Large crowds gathered around 5pm on Tuesday outside the Israeli embassy in Oslo to demonstrate against the bombing of the Gaza Strip. On Monday, more than 20 Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli rockets – several of them children.
BACKGROUND: 20 people killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombing
The Palestinian Committee and 24 other organizations are behind today’s celebration. VG’s reporter on the spot reports a large police rally in front of the embassy and among the protesters.
On the video broadcast that follows the marking, one can hear protesters shouting “boycott Israel, free Palestine”. You can also see that several of those present both dance and wave with large Palestinian flags, and you can repeatedly hear that “Allahu akbar” is shouted.
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck
When the demonstration was finished outside the Israeli embassy, several of those present moved further down through the Castle Park and towards the Storting. Well ahead outside the Storting, they continued the marking there, and finally the demonstrators moved down Karl Johans gate towards Jernbanetorget.
The police in Oslo tell VG that they did not experience anything problematic in connection with the demonstration:
– It proceeded without undesirable events. It has gone well, says operations manager Sven Christian Lie about the demonstration in Oslo on Tuesday.
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– There is a lot of solidarity, but also a lot of anger, says Kristina Martinsen to VGTV.
She is the general manager of the Joint Committee for Palestine, which is also a co-organizer of today’s celebration. Martinsen explains that what we have now seen in Jerusalem is the same thing that has been going on in Gaza against the Palestinians for years. The organization demands that Norway sanction Israel for violations of international law.
– Our greatest wish is that Norway follows up its own policy and sanctions states such as Israel that persistently violate international law, she emphasizes, and highlights Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
Burned flag despite warning
Although the organizers repeatedly asked the protesters not to burn flags, one could see sheets of the Israeli flag being burned during the demonstration. When asked if this is something the organizers support, Martinsen answers:
– We do not stand behind that, we are against it. It is not constructive.
SV politician Petter Eide, who was one of several who appealed during today’s demonstration, also distanced himself from the flag burning he witnessed while standing on the stage:
– It is very counterproductive and against its purpose. The situation is very difficult, especially in Jerusalem, and it is absolutely crucial that we try to solve this in a peaceful way, Eide said to VG after the demonstration.
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