240 empty chairs symbolize the kidnapped Israelis in Zurich
Published: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 14:10
Updated At: Thursday, Nov 9th 2023, 14:13
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A Shabbat table with 240 empty chairs was set up on Bürkliplatz in Zurich on Thursday. The empty chairs are intended to commemorate the 240 Israeli hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. The installation was authorized by the police.
Each of the empty chairs had a missing person poster attached to the backrest, with a photo and name of the person who had been abducted. Next to the long table for the adults was a children's table, also with missing person posters on the backs of the chairs.
The empty Shabbat table was initiated by private individuals from the Israeli community. They want to remind us of the gaps "that every single abducted person leaves behind at the family table". In a petition, they are also calling on the Federal Council to do everything in its power to actively work towards the release of the hostages as a mediator. The police guarded the event.
Fehr wants no more pro-Palestine demonstrations
Zurich's security director Mario Fehr (non-party) also took part in the vigil. In an interview on the same day, he had spoken out in favor of no longer approving pro-Palestine demonstrations. He had emphatically pointed out to the city's head of security, Karin Rykart (Greens), that the current situation was negligent.
There is nothing wrong with vigils and silent condolences. However, chanting hate slogans has nothing to do with freedom of expression.
Controversial chants such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" are repeatedly chanted at pro-Palestine demonstrations. This is described by Israel as anti-Semitic, as it denies Israel's right to exist. The city of Zurich continues to approve such demonstrations. The next demonstration is already scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
The city of Bern decided on Wednesday to no longer permit such large demonstrations in the city center from November 17 until Christmas. Only smaller vigils will be permitted. Due to the tense security situation, the cities of Zurich, Bern and Basel had already banned demonstrations in October. However, the ban only applied for a few days.
©Keystone/SDA
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