Today 24 May, approximately 2,000 people participated in an unauthorized demonstration in Bern protesting the war in Gaza. The protesters marched from the Bahnhofplatz through the Bundesplatz into the Old Town, chanting slogans such as 'Free, free Palestine' and 'Switzerland, you can't hide.' They also set off fireworks and smoke bombs. The demonstration had not received official approval from the city authorities. The police intervened near the Kirchenfeld Bridge, deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Despite these measures, several hundred demonstrators continued their march, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area. The demonstrators called for an immediate end to all military, economic, cultural, and academic cooperation with Israel, which they referred to as a 'genocidal state.' An anonymous call to action prior to the event accused Swiss political leaders of complicity through inaction.
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