The Largest Bulgarian Movement Against the Israeli War on Gaza and Lebanon
On October 21, 2024, nine Bulgarian cities, including the capital Sofia, are set to host the largest peaceful protest against the Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. This significant movement marks a departure from previous protests, which were primarily organized by Palestinian and Lebanese communities, as it is backed by the nationalist party "Vazrajdane (Renaissance)." This party, holding 38 seats in the 240-seat parliament, has called upon citizens to join in solidarity with the affected regions.
The protest is a response to the escalating violence in the Middle East and aims to express the Bulgarian people's desire for peace. A statement from Vazrajdane, posted on their website on October 8, emphasized the importance of neutrality and warned against the influence of the American regime in international conflicts, particularly in Ukraine. "The fires of war in the Middle East are raging, and Bulgaria is not far from it in the geopolitical sense," the statement read.
The Bulgarian National Security Advisory Council recently met to discuss the ongoing situation, with President Rumen Radev highlighting the need for restraint and de-escalation. However, the Vazrajdane party felt that their perspective was not adequately represented in these discussions, prompting them to reach out directly to the Bulgarian populace. The Arab communities in Bulgaria have also mobilized, utilizing social media to encourage participation in the protest, dubbed the "Peaceful Gathering to Stop the War in Palestine and Lebanon."
As the protest approaches, it is anticipated to draw significant attention both domestically and internationally, reflecting Bulgaria's growing engagement with global humanitarian issues.
