Hundreds Rally at UN Headquarters in Geneva, Demanding Hostages' Release in Wake of Deadly Hamas Attack on Israel

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva on Sunday, demanding the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their attack on Israel. The protest, organized by the Voice for Freedom coalition, had a religious tone, with chants, prayers, and psalms filling the air. The demonstration marked the culmination of a visit to Geneva by the families of the missing individuals who disappeared during the Hamas attack. During the protest, many demonstrators proudly waved Israeli flags, wore them around their shoulders, and held up posters featuring pictures of missing Israelis, including children.

Messages of support and calls for action were displayed on t-shirts and placards, with slogans such as "Set them free," "Never again is NOW," "Innocent life is non-negotiable," and "Children aren't bargaining chips." Leon Meijer, president of Christians for Israel International, appealed to the UN Human Rights Council, urging them to work towards the rescue of the hostages and emphasizing the urgency of saving lives. The attack by Hamas militants on October 7th resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, primarily civilians who were either shot, mutilated, or burnt to death, making it the deadliest assault on civilians in Israel's history.

Israeli officials claim that more than 200 individuals were abducted as hostages by the militants. In retaliation, relentless Israeli bombardments across the Gaza Strip have led to the deaths of over 4,600 Palestinians, primarily civilians, according to the latest figures from the Hamas health ministry. Switzerland has witnessed various demonstrations in response to the conflict, with some showing solidarity with Israel and others expressing support for Palestine. Three days after the Hamas attack, Zurich's Jewish community organized a demonstration that brought together several hundred individuals in support of Israel. In Lausanne, a demonstration drew a crowd of 4,500 to 5,000 people who demanded an immediate end to Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, around 6,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Geneva. Following these demonstrations, Zurich and Basel have implemented bans on gatherings related to the Middle East, with the former instituting a complete ban and the latter banning gatherings for the upcoming weekend. In response to this, the UN human rights office issued a statement emphasizing that blanket bans on peaceful assemblies were disproportionate. The office stressed that states must not unduly restrict participation, debate, critical commentary, or expressions of solidarity with Israelis or Palestinians. Any restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly should be based on law, necessary, and proportionate to specific risks, such as national security, public safety, or public order.