Demonstrators Call for Ceasefire, End to Violence against Palestinian Women & Children

On Saturday 9 March 2024 (one day after International Women's Day), the Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient (CPJPO; Committee for Fair Peace in the Middle East) held a demonstration in Place de Clairefontaine in Luxembourg-Ville.

An estimated 100-200 demonstrators gathered outside the building housing Luxembourg's Ministry of State in the city centre to once again demand an immediate ceasefire. Particular emphasis was placed on the hardships and violence faced by Palestinian women and children.

The women-led speeches highlighted the unsafe conditions in which Palestinian women are currently giving birth, reports of sexual violence against women, and the number of women (and children) reported to have been killed in Gaza since October 2023: 63 women per day or about 9,000 in total. The speakers called for solidarity and reiterated calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

Demonstrators held placards and waved (mainly Palestinian) flags, while chanting slogans such as "Free the women. Free free Palestine" and "Stop the genocide".

A separate demonstration took place in the city centre on Saturday, with Israeli stands and photos urging passersby not to forget the more than 130 hostages who are still being held captive by Hamas.