Two rallies in Zurich – Opposing Middle East demonstrations remain peaceful – News

• Two Middle East demonstrations took place simultaneously in the city of Zurich on Thursday evening – one on the Münsterhof, the other on Bürkliplatz.
• The demonstrators called, among other things, for an end to anti-Semitism in Switzerland and an end to violence in the Middle East.
• Both rallies were peaceful.

The violence in the Middle East is also affecting people in Switzerland, as two current demonstrations in the city of Zurich show. While one demonstration primarily called for a vigorous fight against burgeoning anti-Semitism, the other was about a ceasefire and an end to the violence.

For supporting the Jewish community

No more anti-Semitism! That was the core message of the rally at Zurich’s Münsterhof, which four Jewish private individuals called for. Around 1,000 people responded to the call. Church representatives and politicians from all parties also took part in the rally, which was secured by police on all sides – from SP Councilor of States Daniel Jositsch to Center President Gerhard Pfister and SVP National Councilor Alfred Heer.

It is important to show that we stand behind the Jewish community.

The Jewish community must be supported during this time, said Alfred Heer. The Jewish community in Switzerland is under pressure. “We have a lot of attacks all over Europe, but it also starts here in Switzerland. And I think it’s important to show that we stand behind the Jewish community and protect it,” Heer continued. He personally also supports Israel.

The names of Israeli hostages who are still in the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas were also read out at the rally.

For an end to the violence

Not far from Münsterhof, on Bürkliplatz, another rally took place – a peace demonstration called for by the group for a Switzerland without an army (GSoA) and the Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel and Palestine (JVJP).

We stand for an immediate end to the violence in Israel/Palestine.

A ceasefire is needed, said Anja Gada, political secretary of the GSoA. “It is about us standing up for the civilian population, under the banner of international law, for an immediate end to the violence in Israel/Palestine. That’s why we’re here today.”

The bombing of the Gaza Strip must end, demand the rally organizers. There was also harsh criticism of the radical Islamic Hamas. She must release all hostages immediately – there is no justification for the terrorist attack on October 7th. Positions that the demonstration participants supported.

Only peace flags and candles were allowed at the rally on Zurich’s Bürkliplatz. The organizers wanted to send a signal that fundamentalist and nationalist symbols and anti-Semitic slogans are not welcome.

Both rallies were peaceful on Thursday evening.