Hundreds of people gathered in Stockholm on Saturday to protest Israeli military operations in Palestinian and Lebanese territories. The demonstration, organized by various civil society groups at Odenplan Square, condemned Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon. Protesters carried banners reading messages such as “Stop bombing schools and hospitals” and “End the food crisis.” They demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and urged the Swedish government to stop selling arms to Israel.

Among the participants were Iranian-origin demonstrators who also voiced opposition to the policies of the United States and Israel. Azerbaijani-born Swedish human rights activist Aydin Amir Hashimi told Anadolu that Israel’s actions were enabled by Western political, moral, and legal support. He alleged that pro-Palestinian movements were being suppressed in the European Union and the United States.

Hashimi further claimed that in some U.S. states, criticism or calls for boycotts of Israel had become punishable offenses. He pledged that such restrictions would not be allowed in Sweden and vowed continued solidarity with Palestinians despite threats and workplace pressure.