BERLIN (voa) – Thousands of demonstrators turned out in several European cities Saturday to protest Israel’s offensive in Palestinian territories.
A total of at least 20,000 people took to the streets in Germany, with the largest demonstrations in Berlin, Frankfurt and Duesseldorf. The marches were mostly peaceful, with some demonstrators carrying banners describing Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a “terrorist”, and calling for “an end to the genocide in Palestine”.
In London, police say about 15,000 people marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, where they were addressed by a number of politicians and peace activists.
In Amsterdam, Dutch police say more than a dozen people were arrested after a few protesters began hurling stones at police in riot gear.
In the meantime, the U.N. Security Council is considering a call by Secretary General Kofi Annan to urgently deploy an international force to end Israeli-Palestinian violence.
Mr. Annan said the situation in the Middle East is so dangerous and the humanitarian and human rights situation is so appalling that the idea of sending an international force to Palestinian areas can no longer be deferred.
He spoke in Geneva Friday after addressing the U.N. Human Rights Commission. He did not say whether he thinks an international force should be dispatched before an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire is in place, or which countries should participate.
Mr. Annan said an international force could help create a secure environment and provide space for diplomatic and political negotiations. He again urged Israel to pull out of Palestinian areas, a demand the U.N. Security Council also is making.
The U.N. chief also said he fully supports U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s efforts to end the violence and resume peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
