Gaza Solidarity Protests Erupt in Stockholm After Nobel Prizes

STOCKHOLM, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Swedish capital, Stockholm, witnessed large demonstrations on Wednesday coinciding with the traditional Nobel Banquet held after the Nobel Prizes were awarded to the winners. Protesters expressed their rejection of the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip for more than two years, in addition to objecting to US preparations to launch an attack on Venezuela.

Demonstrators gathered in front of Stockholm City Hall, where Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf hosted the Nobel Banquet, chanting slogans in Swedish and English against the United States, Israel, and Sweden. Among the chants were: “Stop the genocide in Gaza” and “Hands off Venezuela.”

Participants held signs reading: “Israel, get out of Palestine,” “End the occupation,” and “You cannot hold a Nobel ceremony while civilians are being killed.”

The protests came in objection to awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition politician María Corina Machado, whom protesters accused of supporting Israel in its operations in Gaza and endorsing US preparations for a military intervention in Venezuela.

A statement issued on behalf of the protesters explained that Machado dedicated her prize to US President Donald Trump and received congratulations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The statement added that Israel has not abided by the peace agreement signed with Palestine on October 10, and that attacks on Gaza and the West Bank continue, worsening civilian suffering and reflecting the persistence of the occupation.