Eighteen police officers and several civilians were injured in clashes during an unauthorized protest in support of Palestine in the Swiss capital Bern. This was reported by the police on Sunday evening, quoted by „Reuters“, reports News.bg.
According to law enforcement officials, about 5,000 people participated in the demonstration against the Israeli military operation in Gaza. The protest turned violent after the police tried to restrict the movement of the protesters. Demonstrators threw objects and bricks at the police, Michael Betschen, deputy head of the Bern cantonal police, told a news conference.
According to national broadcaster SRF, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. One person was detained and damage in the city was estimated at several million Swiss francs. More than 50 buildings were damaged, with shop windows and graffiti smashed.
Such incidents are rare in Switzerland, but the demonstration is reminiscent of clashes on October 2 in Geneva, when tensions also escalated between protesters and police.
During the march, police reported on the social network X that "tempers were running high," and some participants wore masks and carried anti-Israel slogans.
The protest took place against the backdrop of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which entered its third day on Sunday and preceded the expected release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as US President Donald Trump's address to the Israeli parliament.