Over 100 Icelandic organisations are planning a nationwide demonstration in support of Palestine, demanding action from the Icelandic government. The protest is set to take place on Saturday, September 6 at 14:00 in Reykjavík, Ísafjörður, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Stykkishólmur, Húsavík, and Hólmavík.
The organisers encourage the Icelandic government to use its powers to help bring an end to the ongoing genocide and the illegal occupation in Palestinian territories. The demonstration demands that Icelandic authorities will issue effective embargoes against Israel, severing of diplomatic relations, and the enforcement of international law.
According to Israeli military data, civilian death rate in Gaza is approximately 83 percent, including 18.500 children. In late August, UN aid agencies warned of an ongoing famine in Gaza.
Among the organisations participating are the National Church of Iceland, the Icelandic Medical Association, the National Association of Police Officers, Samtökin ’78, and Amnesty International’s Icelandic division, to name a few.
Speakers at the Reykjavík event include former foreign minister Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, chair of the Icelandic Medical Assocation Steinunn Þórðardóttir, chair of the Icelandic Confederation of Labour Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson, and reverend Matthildur Bjarnadóttir.
Musicians Páll Óskar, Tabit Lakhda, and Rima Nasser will perform at the demonstration, followed by a poetry reading by author Elísabet Jökulsdóttir.