A small gathering in central Athens supporting Palestine escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police, with coverage provided by the city newsletter. The event drew immediate attention from local observers and media alike.
Trade union representatives and leftist groups, including the Organization of Communist Internationalists of Greece, gathered at the rally to advocate for the rights of people in the region and to express solidarity with those facing hardship abroad.
During the demonstration, a banner was unfurled that read, Implement sanctions and blockade on Israel until Israel ends its occupation, and the crowd then moved toward a nearby McDonald’s as tensions rose. Several doors were damaged as some protesters pushed past barriers while others attempted to deter the actions through nonviolent means.
According to reports, tear gas was deployed to disperse portions of the crowd, and a number of participants entered the restaurant under the supervision of police officers who were stationed nearby. The scene reflected the charged atmosphere typical of urban demonstrations on contentious issues, where crowd control measures and citizen safety were simultaneously weighed by authorities.
Two individuals were detained in connection with the incident, though no injuries or fatalities were reported. The authorities emphasized the importance of maintaining public order while preserving the right to peaceful assembly.
Earlier in February, Greek farmers in Thessaloniki mobilized to block major routes as part of a broader agricultural protest. Their aim was to press for lower fuel costs and compensation for olive trees damaged by recent adverse weather conditions. The action underscored ongoing economic pressures facing rural communities and the government’s response to those concerns.
In a separate development in Athens, a rally occurred under slogans focused on normalizing relations with Russia, signaling a broad spectrum of political positions represented in the city at the time. The demonstration highlighted the diverse opinions present in the capital on foreign policy and regional alliances.