Fighting during a pro-Palestine demonstration in Westerhaven in Groningen

According to the municipality, about 200 people walked from Nieuwe Markt to Westerhaven. They demonstrated, among other things, against Israeli bombing of Palestinian lands.

As the end of the demonstration in Westerhaven approached, emotions ran high, and demonstrators began shoving and fighting. Some believe that it is related to internal conflicts within the group.

The Syrian group entered into combat

According to an eyewitness who attended the demonstration, a small number of Syrians participated. “Five or fifteen people were fighting among themselves about something,” she says. This had nothing to do with the content of the demonstration. He added, “The organization then tried to intervene to calm the situation and called on the demonstrators to return to their homes.”

The demonstration went well throughout the march, until the end. She believes it is shameful for a small group to leave its mark on the protest in this way. “We call for a ceasefire.”

A police spokesman speaks of a minor disturbance at the end of the demonstration. “No arrests have been made.”