Warsaw court has overturned the ban imposed by Warsaw’s mayor on a pro-Palestinian demonstration scheduled to take place near the Israeli embassy in the Polish capital.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been unfolding in various cities worldwide since the Israeli armed forces initiated an assault on the Gaza Strip in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.
These global demonstrations have, in some instances, sparked concerns about the potential escalation of anti-Semitism.
On Thursday, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski expressed acceptance of the court’s decision, stating, “The court did not share the doubts raised by Warsaw and the Police regarding the safety of the pro-Palestinian demonstration planned for the weekend, whose route leads through narrow streets in Ochota (Warsaw district – ed.).”
Trzaskowski had previously announced the ban on Wednesday, citing the inability of the police to ensure safety in the confined space where the march was set to conclude in front of the Israeli Embassy in Ochota.
“Our decision is based on the position of the Warsaw Police, which are responsible by law for ensuring public safety and order during assemblies. Previously, these demonstrations took place on a different route and then the assessment of the services and the city was positive,” he added.
The demonstration, organized under the banner “Not one more bomb – free Palestine,” is scheduled to commence from Zbawiciela Square towards the Israeli Embassy at 1 pm on Saturday. The participants plan to march along Nowowiejska and Krzywickiego streets.