Protests held in Vilnius against Lithuania’s cooperation in US and Israeli wars

Demonstrations against Lithuania’s military, economic, and diplomatic support for US and Israeli actions in the Middle East took place in Vilnius on Saturday, LRT reports.

Protesters gathered under the slogan “No to War!” in Vincas Kudirka Square before marching toward Town Hall Square. A parallel rally was organised in Kaunas, where participants assembled in Independence Square and proceeded to Unity Square.

Organisers demanded Lithuania immediately cease all forms of cooperation with the US and Israel, accusing both nations of “imperialist aggression” and war crimes. In a statement, human rights activist Ajus Jurgaitis condemned recent US-Israeli airstrikes in Southwest Asia, including a US attack on a girls’ primary school in Iran that reportedly killed over 170 people, mostly children.

“Since February 28, the US and Israel have escalated aggression in the region, killing thousands in Iran and Lebanon while continuing the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians,” Jurgaitis said. He criticised Lithuanian officials for signaling support for “aggressor states” involved in war crimes.

One protester carried a sign equating the US with Russia, which Jurgaitis clarified was not an endorsement of Russian aggression but a rejection of all imperialist powers committing atrocities. Amira Dayekh, a Lithuanian-Lebanese organiser, stressed the need to condemn both the crimes and Lithuania’s complicity in enabling them.

The protest was co-organised by groups including Poppies Palestine Action Vilnius, the Jewish movement Vilne Bund, university student collectives, and social centres Emma and Luna16.