Music hits 10:00am - Noon

Listen Live

Search

Violent pro-Palestinian march in Bern

Monday, 13 October 2025 06:30

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.

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • Debate within SVP

    Cracks are showing inside the SVP over Christoph Blocher's neutrality initiative, ahead of the 27 September vote

  • New biometric card is coming

    Switzerland is rolling out its first biometric identity card, with applications opening from 2 October

  • Police warning in Jura

    Jura police are warning young adults about a car-leasing scam that could leave them facing heavy financial and criminal consequences

  • Raiffeisen job cuts

    Raiffeisen has announced it will cut up to 180 jobs next year, even as the bank posts one of its strongest half-year results.

  • SBB slow down new projects

    Switzerland's rail operator will now prioritise maintaining its existing network over building new lines, its new president André Wyss has said

  • Mixed weather conditions for the weekend

    Switzerland is heading into a mixed few days, with Saharan dust returning and thunderstorms sweeping in later today

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play