September 8, 2025 – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Brussels on Sunday, calling for a tougher stance against Israel and in support of the Palestinian people. The protest, dubbed the “Red Line for Gaza” march, saw a massive turnout, with organizers claiming as many as 110,000 people and police estimating the crowd at 70,000. The march, which took place days after Belgium’s government announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, highlighted a public push for more decisive action from both national and European Union leaders.
Headline Points
* Massive Turnout: Police estimates put the number of demonstrators at 70,000, while organizers claimed a crowd of up to 110,000, making it one of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the city to date.
* Symbolic Protest: Many participants wore red and carried red cards, symbolizing a “red line” against what they described as the ongoing violence in Gaza and a message to politicians and institutions they believe are complicit.
* Call for Stronger Measures: While acknowledging recent steps by the Belgian government, including plans to recognize a Palestinian state, organizers and speakers demanded more concrete action. Calls were made for a full military embargo on Israel and a national ban on investments and trade that support the occupation.
* Broad Coalition: The march was supported by a wide array of organizations, including over 200 NGOs, trade unions, Jewish and Palestinian associations, and cultural and religious groups, showcasing a broad-based movement.
* Political Pressure: The demonstration comes as the European Union faces internal divisions on the issue, and protesters are aiming to influence EU policy to move beyond symbolic gestures toward more effective sanctions and diplomatic measures.
The demonstration, the second of its kind in Brussels, started at the North Station and proceeded towards Jean Rey Square, in the heart of the European quarter. Participants waved Palestinian flags, chanted slogans, and held banners demanding justice for Gaza. The event was a powerful display of public opinion, urging policymakers to heed the calls for a more robust response to the humanitarian situation.
Organizers stressed that while recent political announcements, such as Belgium’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, are welcome, they are not sufficient. They expressed frustration that the measures “fall far short of all Belgium’s international obligations.” This sentiment was echoed by many in the crowd, who want to see a full military embargo and a ban on any economic ties that could be seen as enabling the conflict.
The protest also brought to light the internal pressure within the Belgian government. The country’s foreign minister had previously threatened a major crisis if a tougher stance on Israel was not adopted, and a recent poll showed that a large majority of the Flemish population believes Israel is guilty of genocide and supports sanctions.
The sheer size of the march underscores the growing public frustration with what many see as a failure of governments to act decisively. As the conflict continues to dominate global headlines, the people on the streets of Brussels are making it clear they will continue to apply pressure until they see a change in policy.
