More than 6,000 Bosnians participated in a protest march in Sarajevo under the slogan “Bosnia and Herzegovina for a Free Palestine.” The march started from the memorial for children victims of the Sarajevo siege (1992-1995), passed official state buildings including the presidency and parliament, and ended in the park between the Historical Museum and the National Museum where a statement of demands was read.

Representatives from teachers’, doctors’, workers’, and journalists’ unions participated, holding banners reading “Stop the genocide in Gaza,” “Free Palestine,” “Stop killing children,” “Palestine, you are not alone,” and “From every river to every sea… Palestine will be free,” among others.

The participants emphasized in their statement that Bosnia, having been a victim of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, bears a special responsibility to uphold international law and defend universal human rights values.

Protesters’ Demands

Organizer and prominent activist Lejla Krišević-Ljaković told Al Jazeera that participants demand the authorities join South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice and commit to implementing International Criminal Court rulings, including arresting Israeli officials accused or to be accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide if found on Bosnian territory.

Demands also include severing all diplomatic, political, cultural, sports, academic, and economic relations with Israel, including a complete ban on exporting weapons, ammunition, and any equipment used or potentially used for military purposes to Israel, and freezing assets of individuals or entities funding or enabling genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

The activist also called for holding accountable all Bosnian citizens with dual nationality who joined the Israeli army, noting this is prohibited under Bosnian law.

Other demands include suspending or excluding Israel from participation in international sports and cultural organizations, banning Bosnian citizens from joining Israeli military structures, and prohibiting entry to Bosnia and Herzegovina of persons involved in Israeli military operations or paramilitary or quasi-police formations of Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Raising the Palestinian Voice

Bosnian journalist Sanela Kapitanović highlighted the importance of continuing protests despite the ceasefire announcement in Gaza, as Israel has repeatedly violated ceasefires in the past.

Kapitanović told Al Jazeera, “I believe now is the most important time for us to defend the Palestinian people, because there is no freedom without justice, and no freedom with impunity. That is why I think now, perhaps more than ever, it is necessary to raise the voice of the Palestinian people after so many have been killed and many remain under the rubble. Now we must focus all attention on Gaza.”

She added that what happened in Gaza is the latest chapter in an 80-year-long genocide against Palestinians during the occupation.

Journalist Adnan Rondić said the protest sent two messages: first, urging the government to support the Palestinian people in all ways; second, affirming the readiness of Bosnians—including journalists, doctors, teachers, and genocide experts—to provide any support to Palestinians.

Rondić added, “Palestine has not been well for the past 80 years; what happened in Gaza is just the latest genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Regarding the ties between Bosnians and Palestinians, he said history, traditions, culture, and religion all strengthen the bond between the two peoples.