List of pro-Palestinian protests in Belgium

Pro-Palestinian gathering in Brussels, 28 October 2023.

This is a list of pro-Palestinian protests in Belgium including demonstrations, marches, sit-ins, direct actions, and campus encampments in support of Palestinian rights.

List

Estimated attendance is either mentioned explicitly in the references or a midpoint is used, i.e., 50 when dozens are mentioned, 500 when hundreds are mentioned, and so on.

Pre-2023

Date Municipality Estimated attendance Description Ref(s)
15 May 2013 Brussels 30 Die-in outside the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation in protest of Belgian participation in research programs collaborating with Israeli arms companies. [1]
12 August 2014  Sint-Niklaas 150 Silent vigi at the Regentieplein in response to the recent wave of Israeli attacks amid the 2014 Gaza War. [2]
18 August 2014 Brussels 5,000 Demonstration and march through the city center against the blockade of Gaza. [3]
5 September 2014  Lokeren 130 Silent vigil at the Markt in response to the recent wave of Israeli attacks amid the 2014 Gaza War. [4]
11 December 2017 Brussels 200 Demonstration in the European Quarter against the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [5]
5 April 2018 Brussels 200 Demonstration at Brussels Central Station in response to the 2018 Land Day protests where the Israeli army killed 18 Palestinian protesters and injured over 1,400. [6]
12 May 2021 Brussels 500 Demonstration outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the escalation of Israel's attacks amid the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis. [7]
15 May 2021 Brussels 3,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [8][9]
16 May 2021  Antwerp 500 Demonstration in the city center. [10]
19 May 2021 Brussels 500 Demonstration in front of European Union Commission in response to Israel's attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. [11]
29 October 2022 Brussels 1,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [12]

2023

Date Municipality Estimated attendance Description Ref(s)
11 October 2023 Brussels 3,000 Demonstration outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [13]
22 October 2023  Genk 800 Demonstration and march through the city center. [14]
22 October 2023 Brussels 12,000-40,000 Demonstration at the Schuman Square. [15][16]
28 October 2023  Mechelen ? Demonstration and march through the city center. [17]
11 November 2023 Brussels 45,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [18][19]
18 December 2023  Ghent 750 Night march through the city center. [20]
18 December 2023 Brussels 27,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [21]

2024

Date Municipality Estimated attendance Description Ref(s)
21 January 2024 Brussels 500 Demonstration and march through the city center. [22]
17 March 2024 Brussels 7,500 Demonstration and march through the city center. [23]
6 May 2024  Ghent 200 Encampment at the Ghent University. [24]
19 May 2024 Brussels 5,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [25]
31 May 2024 Brussels 500 Demonstration outside the US embassy. Ended with police intervention. Around 30 protesters were arrested. [26]
22 June 2024  Ghent 2,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [27]
15 July 2024 Brussels 100 Demonstration outside the Israeli embassy. Ended with police intervention, including the use of tear gas on around 50 protesters. [28][29]
25 July 2024 Brussels 14 Demonstration outside the Tomorrowland event. Ended with police intervention. 14 protesters were arrested. [28][30]
25 August 2024  Ghent 200 Demonstration at Korenlei and Leie river. Activists unfurled a large flag from the St. Michael's bridge. [31]
17 September 2024  Ghent ? Defacing of windows of an BNP Parbibas office in protest of alleged ties with Israeli arms producer Elbit Systems. [32]
20 October 2024 Brussels 32,000-70,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [33][34]
24 November 2024  Ghent 1,500 Demonstration and march through the city center. [35]

2025

Date Municipality Estimated attendance Description Ref(s)
11 January 2025  Antwerp 1,000 Demonstration at the Waterpoort in protest of the role of the Port of Antwerp in the arms trade with Israel. [36]
26 January 2025 Brussels 7,000-13,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [37][38]
11 May 2025 Brussels 80,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [39]
24 May 2025  Ghent 4,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [40]
15 June 2025 Brussels 110,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [41]
23 June 2025 Brussels and  Tournai 1,000 Around a thousand activists staged blockades against the advanced materials company Syensqo at the headquarters in the outskirts of Brussels and an OIP Sensor Systems warehouse in Tournai. [42][43]
22 July 2025 Brussels 300-400 Demonstration and march through the city center. Protesters chanted slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "Boycott Israel, boycott USA". [44]
24 August 2025 Brussels 500 Demonstration and march through the city center. A person was stabbed and taken to the hospital. The suspect was arrested. [45]
7 September 2025 Brussels 70,000-120,000 Demonstration and march through the city center. [46][47]
2 October 2025 Brussels 4,500 Demonstration outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [48]
8 October 2025 Brussels 600 Demonstration outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to Israel's interception and kidnapping of activists on board of the Global Sumud Flotilla and in response to the suicide of a Palestinian refugee and activist that was being held at the 127bis closed center. [49][50]
10 October 2025  Ixelles 400 March by students from 6 different schools. [51]
11 October 2025  Charleroi 400 Blocking of the entrance to the Industeel Belgium, part of the ArcelorMittal group, in response to a delivery of several tons of steel to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Ended with police intervention. Around 100 protesters were arrested. [52]
19 October 2025 Brussels 50 Encampment outside the European Commission. [53]
23 October 2025 Brussels ? Strike by students and academic staff at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to demand universities to end collaborations with Israeli institutions. [54]
27 October 2025  Antwerp ? Demonstration at Suikerrui. Ended with police intervention. 20 protesters were arrested. [55][56]
10 November 2025  Antwerp 150–700 Demonstration at the Grote Markt. Ended with police intervention, including the use of water cannons. Seven protesters were arrested. [57][58]

2026

Date Municipality Estimated attendance Description Ref(s)
11 January 2026  Antwerp 300–500 Demonstration and march in the city center, organized by the Antwerp Coalition for Palestine. [59]
18 March 2026 Brussels ? Demonstration at the Etterbeek campus of the Free University of Brussels calling for the university to stop collaborating with an Israeli defense-linked company. [60]
22 April 2026  Ghent 100+ Over a hundred pro-Palestine activists occupied on the Coupure campus of Ghent University, demanding a boycott of Israeli institutions. [61]
8 May 2026  Ghent ? Blocking of the UFO building of Ghent University where a meeting of the Board of Directors were to take place. [62]
17 May 2026 Brussels 1,000+ Demonstration from Brussels-North railway station to Brussels-Central railway station, denouncing the war in Gaza, condemning Europe's complicity and commemorating the Nakba. [63]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Videoverslag actie: geen EU-geld voor Israëlische wapenbedrijven | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 17 May 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Stille wake voor Gaza-slachtoffers | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 12 August 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "5000 betogers eisen stopzetting van oorlog en blokkade tegen Gaza | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 18 August 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Gaza wake in Lokeren | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 13 January 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "Fotoverslag: Netanyahu not welcome! | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 24 June 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "This one is for Gaza | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 15 May 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Honderdtal betogers in Brussel na geweld in Palestina en Isräel". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  8. ↑ NWS, VRT (15 May 2021). "Duizenden mensen op pro-Palestijnse betoging in Brussel, ook op andere plekken in de wereld protest | VRT NWS: nieuws". VRTNWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Duizenden betogers in Brussel: 'De media plaatsen ons op gelijke hoogte met Israël, maar dat is niet zo'" [Thousands of protesters in Brussels: 'The media puts us on a par with Israel, but that's not the case']. DeMorgen. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Segers, Simon (16 May 2021). "Honderden pro-Palestijnse betogers op Groenplaats in Antwerpen". PAL (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  11. ↑ "Hundreds in Brussels protest Israel's attacks on Palestine". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  12. ↑ Rodriguez, Elisa (31 October 2022). "Brussel blijft zich mobiliseren voor de bevrijding van Palestina". VICE (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Fotoverslag: Actie voor een onmiddellijk staakt-het-vuren in Israël/Palestina | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 5 November 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  14. ↑ NWS, VRT (22 October 2023). "Mensen komen massaal op straat in Genk om Palestijnse bevolking te steunen | VRT NWS: nieuws". VRTNWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "Twaalfduizend mensen betuigen steun aan Gaza tijdens manifestatie in Europese wijk". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  16. ↑ "Gaza: 40.000 mensen komen in Brussel op straat om een onmiddellijk staakt-het-vuren te eisen | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 12 May 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  17. ↑ "Manifestatie voor Palestina op Mechelse Grote Markt: "Solidariteit en steun voor slachtoffers tonen"". Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 26 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  18. ↑ "45.000 betogers in Brussel voor de grote mars in solidariteit met Palestina en voor een onmiddellijk staakt-het-vuren | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 12 May 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  19. ↑ "45.000 betogers in Brussel voor de grote mars in solidariteit met Palestina en voor een onmiddellijk staakt-het-vuren | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 12 May 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "Gentse Coalitie voor Palestina mobiliseert 750 demonstranten voor vreedzame mars | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 2 September 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  21. ↑ "27,000 protesters in Brussels for march against violence in Gaza: 'Immediate and permanent ceasefire' (VIDEO)". VRT (broadcaster). 18 December 2023. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  22. ↑ "Protesters in Brussels call for ceasefire in Gaza". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  23. ↑ NWS, VRT (17 March 2024). "7.500 manifestanten op straat in Brussel voor staakt-het-vuren in Gaza | VRT NWS: nieuws". VRTNWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  24. ↑ Neslen, Arthur (6 May 2024). "Ghent students occupy university building in climate and Gaza protest". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  25. ↑ "Duizenden mensen betogen opnieuw in Brussel voor staakt-het-vuren in Gaza". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  26. ↑ "Politie zet pro-Palestijnse betoging stop: 'Er werd gevochten, geschopt en geslagen'". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  27. ↑ "Nationale Betoging voor Palestina in Gent | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 7 May 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  28. 1 2 Europe, Civil Liberties Union for (18 September 2024). "Pro-Palestinian University Encampment Forcibly Evicted, Students Receive Police Summonses in Belgium". Liberties.eu. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  29. ↑ Lhuillier, Vanessa (16 July 2024). "Nouvelle manifestation devant l'ambassade d'Israël". BX1 (in French). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  30. ↑ Rédaction, La (19 October 2025). "Quatorze manifestants pro-palestiniens arrêtés sur la Grand-Place et à la Bourse". DHnet (in French). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  31. ↑ "Solidariteitsactie voor Palestina op de Korenlei in Gent | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  32. ↑ "Pro-Palestijnse activisten gaan stapje verder bij actie tegen BNP Paribas: filiaal in Gent met verf beklad én ramen gebroken". PZC. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  33. ↑ NWS, VRT (20 October 2024). "32.000 mensen hebben in Brussel betoogd voor onmiddellijk staakt-het-vuren in Gaza en Libanon | VRT NWS: nieuws". VRTNWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  34. ↑ "70.000 betogers in Brussel op de nationale manifestatie voor een staakt-het-vuren in Palestina en Libanon | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 26 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  35. ↑ "1500 mensen stappen mee in mars voor Palestina te Gent | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 14 January 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  36. ↑ "Antwerpse mars voor Palestina: Breek de banden! | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  37. ↑ "Thousands march in Brussels demanding permanent ceasefire in Gaza". euronews. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  38. ↑ "Meer dan 13.000 manifestanten solidair met Palestina in Brussel | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 2 June 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  39. ↑ "Fotoverslag: negende nationale mars in solidariteit met de Palestijnen | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 15 June 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  40. ↑ "4.000 mensen in Gent eisen gerechtigheid voor de Palestijnen | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 7 May 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  41. ↑ "Fotoverslag: 110.000 mensen trekken de Rode Lijn voor Gaza | Vrede". vrede.be (in Dutch). 12 May 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  42. ↑ Carolan, Clara (24 June 2025). "Over 1,000 Belgian activists stage mass blockade of companies supplying arms to Israel amid ongoing Gaza genocide". The New Arab. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  43. ↑ Basem, Sarhan (23 June 2025). "Belgium: Activists protest at Syensqo and OIP over Gaza links". Brussels Morning. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  44. ↑ "Une marche pro-palestinienne a réuni des centaines de manifestants". BruxellesToday (in Italian). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  45. ↑ "TRT Français - Bruxelles: une personne poignardée lors d'une manifestation pro-palestinienne". www.trtfrancais.com (in French). Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  46. ↑ "Tens of thousands march for Palestinians in Belgian capital". France 24. 8 September 2025.
  47. ↑ "Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian march in Brussels". Belga News Agency. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  48. ↑ "Pro-Palestijnse demonstranten verzamelen voor Buitenlandse Zaken en Israëlische ambassade". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  49. ↑ "600-tal pro-Palestijnse demonstranten zetten protest aan Buitenlandse Zaken verder". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  50. ↑ "Pro-Palestijns verzet op scherp na dood van activist in gesloten centrum 127bis: 'Hij was zo'n geweldige man'". DeMorgen. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  51. ↑ "Pro-Palestijns protest houdt aan ondanks staakt-het-vuren: 'Dit is nog geen vrede'". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  52. ↑ "Activisten van Code Rood blokkeren en beschadigen staalfabriek in Charleroi, ook arrestaties in Antwerpen". De Morgen. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  53. ↑ "Actievoerders kamperen bij EU om normalisering met Israël te stoppen". Marokko Nieuws (in Dutch). 20 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  54. ↑ "Students, professors strike at Brussels university over ties with Israeli institutions". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  55. ↑ NWS, VRT (27 October 2025). "Twintig actievoerders bestuurlijk gearresteerd bij wekelijks pro-Palestijns protest in Antwerpen | VRT NWS: nieuws". VRTNWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  56. ↑ "Geen plek voor vreedzaam protest in Antwerpen | De Wereld Morgen". www.dewereldmorgen.be (in Dutch). 31 October 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  57. ↑ NWS, VRT (10 November 2025). "Bestuurspartij Vooruit veroordeelt inzet waterkanon bij pro-Palestijns protest in Antwerpen: "Totaal foute maatregelen" | VRT NWS: nieuws". VRTNWS (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  58. ↑ "7 mensen gearresteerd bij manifestatie van Antwerpse Coalitie voor Palestina: "Politie heeft hardhandig ingegrepen"". HLN. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  59. ↑ "300 mensen stappen in Antwerpen mee in mars tegen genocide". VRT (in Dutch). 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  60. ↑ "Pro-Palestijnse activisten hangen bij VUB spandoek op tegen link Israëlische wapenmaker". Bruzz (in Dutch). 18 March 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  61. ↑ "Over 100 pro-Palestine activists occupy Ghent University building". The Brussels Times. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  62. ↑ "Protestvoerders en UGent in overleg na blokkade". P-magazine. 11 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  63. ↑ "Thousands protest in Brussels against war in Gaza and Belgian 'complicity'". Belga News Agency. 17 May 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
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