Protest in Vilnius calls for Lithuania to cut ties with Israel over actions in Palestine

A demonstration against Israel’s military operations in Palestine took place in central Vilnius on Friday evening, with protesters urging Lithuanian institutions to sever cooperation with Israel, LRT reports.

Over 50 participants gathered in Vincas Kudirka Square, waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs while distributing leaflets to passersby. The protest was organised by the groups Vilne Bund, Poppies, and Vilnius University’s Student Solidarity Group.

Leaflets handed out at the event described the 1948 Nakba—the mass displacement of Palestinians—as the start of Israel’s “78-year occupation,” marked by “oppression, exile, genocide, and terror.” Despite this, the text stated, Palestinians continue to resist for their right to live.

Speaking through a megaphone, protesters demanded Lithuania “stop supporting the occupation regime.” Organiser Ignas told LRT the location was chosen deliberately: “Vincas Kudirka Square is a busy protest hub. We want to draw attention to the fact that war is still ongoing, people are still being killed. Lithuania must finally take a stand supporting human rights and international law.”

In a statement, organisers argued Lithuania’s cooperation with Israel is “morally and legally unjustifiable,” citing the country’s obligations under international treaties. Lithuania ratified the 1996 UN Genocide Convention, requiring action to prevent genocide, and the 2007 Geneva Conventions on the protection of civilians in wartime. They noted the International Court of Justice is examining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes.

The protest follows a recent escalation in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, cited by Reuters, 120 people were killed in the territory over the past five weeks after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran ended on April 8.