Pro-Palestine Demonstrations Erupt in Uruguay + Photos
Supporters of Palestine in Uruguay held demonstrations in Montevideo and together across 19 provinces, calling on the Uruguayan government to cut diplomatic relations with the Israeli regime and officially recognize the genocide in Gaza, according to webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency.
For the first time, Vice President Carolina Cosse acknowledged that there is a “genocide” against the Palestinian people-a term that Uruguay’s government had previously refused to use, causing dissatisfaction among advocates for oppressed Palestinians.
at the capital’s protest, one of many posters addressed to President Luis Lacalle Pou read: “In facing cold annihilation, the only acceptable resistance is to let your blood boil. Never remain indifferent in the face of genocide.” A few feet away stood another poster stating: “Children of Gaza are not a threat,” placed above an array of dolls and toys.
Daniela López,a labor union member and demonstration coordinator,told La Diaria newspaper: “We know this will be our largest march ever. Two years after this genocide began, it has become almost unfeasible not to condemn it. People are voicing it on streets as a symbol of humanity; this brutality occurring in Palestine at Israel’s hands must stop.” López recalled that another march on February 29, 2024 gathered 15,000 people for Palestine. She believes support is growing: ”Everyone is talking about Palestine now-that struggle demands participation. We must speak up; fear cannot silence us-we must condemn genocide.”
According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health compiled by Doctors Without Borders, between October 7, 2023 and October 1 this year alone-66,148 people have died and 168,716 were injured in Gaza. Furthermore, no hospital functions fully; as per reports from OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), only 14 out of 36 hospitals remain partially operational.
The Broad Front party activists participated in these protests after their political forum Monday decided to join calls condemning what they described as “genocide committed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.” Their statement demanded an immediate humanitarian corridor for food and medicine into Gaza.
The left-wing political force leader Fernando Pereira attended alongside vice President Cosse-who explicitly labeled events in Gaza as genocide saying bluntly: “There is genocide.”
In an interview with Subrayado news agency about demands to sever ties with Israel’s government Cosse said Uruguay has played “an important role respecting international laws while seeking agreements.” She added breaking relations falls under executive prerogatives but expressed doubt it would happen so soon: “I do not believe it will occur like that.” She also commented: “It would be wrong to link Palestinians’ tragic situation solely with hostage negotiations.” Nevertheless she affirmed her view that conditions qualify as genocide while concluding: “I walk here today wishing peace and better humanitarian standards.”
the slogans chanted during marches reflect broad public sentiment among participants brought together by shared purpose despite unfamiliarity. Demonstrators rallied behind chants including:
- “This was a hospital-not a military base.”
- “Zionist state-you are terrorists.”
- “gaza hold on-the world rises up.”
- “Where are sanctions against Israel? They’re invisible.”
Over one hundred Uruguayan Jews protesting Israeli actions called for cutting ties over Gaza offenses.
A Jewish marcher stressed that zionism is “a racist supremacist ideology responsible for genocide,” saying Israel does not represent Jews worldwide. He added Zionism should never be confused with Judaism or Jewish people -“we do not claim chosen status nor consider ourselves superior ethnically.”
Kristin Mirza-a former parliamentarian-read aloud a declaration endorsing Palestinian solidarity stating Israeli aims go beyond dismantling organizations toward erasing an entire nation’s existence and memory:
“Those who govern Israel today represent some of world’s most extreme far-right factions; they should face trial for crimes against humanity.”
The declaration continued:“Israel lies-it isn’t just fighting resistance but conducts a racist colonial war against an entire nation.” It urged recognition condemning genocidal acts while advocating investigations into atrocities committed by Israel alongside suspension of relations so long as international law remains violated:“stop supplying arms fueling ethnic cleansing! Refuse weapons tested on Palestinian children! Silence means complicity; inactivity equals consent-the time for action is now. Peace means more than absence of bombs-it requires freedom coupled with justice.”
