In a poignant demonstration of solidarity, the Olive Tree Planting Foundation, under the patronage of Esther van der Most, organized a gathering on Thursday, December 20, 2023, at the iconic Binnenrotte Square in Rotterdam. Over 8,000 pairs of shoes were displayed, each symbolizing a Palestinian child killed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza during the 76-day-long conflict.
The symbolic protest aimed to bring global attention to the tragic loss of Palestinian lives, particularly children, due to the indiscriminate bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Participants added shoes to the display every 10 minutes, underscoring the ongoing toll on civilian lives.
The event transformed Binnenrotte Square into a somber space of remembrance, with banners carrying messages such as ‘Don’t kill Palestinian children’ and ‘They have names. They had dreams.’
Australian Leaders Advocate for Justice to Palestinians
Over 200 current and former Australian Members of Parliament and Councillors from various political backgrounds issued a joint statement calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, recognition of Palestine as a state, an end to the Israeli occupation, and a reevaluation of Australia’s relationship with Israel.
The statement expressed solidarity with Palestine, condemning Israeli violence against Palestinians. Signatories included current federal, state, and local MPs, along with former Foreign Ministers Gareth Evans and Bob Carr, former Labor Deputy Prime Minister Brian Howe, former Liberal Minister for Immigration Ian Macphee, and leaders of the Australian Greens from Bob Brown to Adam Bandt and Mehreen Faruqi.
The MPs urged the Australian government to stand with the Palestinians, publicly advocate for a ceasefire, and recognize Palestine as a state free from occupation. They denounced the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, emphasizing the need for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and a just, lasting peace.
The death toll in Gaza due to Israeli bombings surpassed 20,000, with 53,320 injuries and over 1.09 lakh Gazans displaced. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported 390 Palestinians killed and 734 injured in the past two days, including 303 Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank.
Global Voices Demand End to Violence
The Rotterdam protest and the statement by Australian leaders contribute to the global outcry against the violence in Gaza. Voices from various parts of the world continue to advocate for an immediate end to the conflict, emphasizing the human cost and calling for lasting peace in the region.
