Around 5,000 people marched through Bern on Saturday afternoon in a pro-Palestinian demonstration that later turned violent.
The crowd gathered at the train station before heading to the Federal Palace, chanting “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza.”
As tensions rose, smoke bombs and fireworks were set off, and police reported violent attacks against officers. Shop windows were smashed and rubber bullets were fired. Calm returned by early evening.
After the demonstration, the Foundation Against Racism and Anti-Semitism is sounding the alarm about what it calls the growing normalization of antisemitic hate speech.
The group says the demonstration wasn’t just loud, but violent and with symbols, slogans, and language drawn straight from terrorist ideology.
Voters have rejected the ‘No to 10 Million’ initiative. But commentators say the strength of the yes vote is still a cause of concern for the government.
Thousands of people across the country have taken part in feminist strike events calling for equal pay, an end to gender-based violence and greater rights for women.