Mass Gathering in Nicosia to Protest Against Gaza Strip Blockade
In a significant display of solidarity, hundreds are anticipated to convene at Eleftheria Square in Nicosia on April 7. This marks the six-month anniversary of the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, an event that has sparked international debate and concern.
The organizers, a diverse coalition of left-wing groups and social movements, have labeled the assault a “genocidal crime” and are vocally demanding an end to the blockade that has severely impacted the lives of Palestinians, leading to acute shortages of food and medical supplies.
The protest is set to begin at 4 p.m., serving as a platform for criticism against the Cypriot government’s support for the “Amalthea programme.” This aid initiative has been dismissed by the organizers as insufficient, arguing that it serves more as a public relations effort rather than a solution to the pressing humanitarian crisis. They claim that while minor aid is transported by sea, essential land-based assistance continues to be obstructed by the Israeli occupation forces.
Organizers have accused the government of the Republic of Cyprus of complicity in what they describe as war crimes in Gaza since October 7, 2023. They assert that the Amalthea programme, which allows Israel to distribute aid, is merely a media stunt that overlooks the larger issue of the ongoing land blockade.
The demonstrators’ demands are clear: an immediate and permanent ceasefire, a complete lifting of the blockade on Gaza, an end to the Cypriot government’s perceived complicity, dismantling of the Israeli occupation, and freedom for Palestine.
The protest is organized by a wide array of groups including Afoa, Aeriko, Anonim Genclik, Bağımsızlık Yolu, DIEM25, Far Right Watch CY, Film Workers for Palestine, Initiative against Fascist Threat, Hade, ΚISA, Kores Ksapolites, NEDA, Queer Collective CY, Sispirosi Ataktwn, Sol Hareket, Spirithkia, and United for Palestine – Cyprus. Their collective voice aims to bring attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and push for meaningful change.
The event is expected to not only serve as a protest but also as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The image captured by Antonia Maria Nicolaides is set to be a powerful emblem of this significant moment of activism and advocacy.
