Sarajevo marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people in a unique event titled Artistic Intifada; blending protest, art, and humanitarian efforts.
By Rabia Bouchiba
Held at Stage Park, situated between the National and Historical Museums, the gathering was organized by the Feminist Antimilitarist Collective and drew an informal group of citizens committed to honouring the victims of Gaza and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian cause on 30 November 2024.
Journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the demonstration to emphasize support for their colleagues in Gaza and Lebanon, where reporters are being targeted amid ongoing conflicts.
They carried placards with the powerful message that read, “Stop killing journalists!” This call was reinforced by prominent Bosnian journalist Edina Kamenica, who delivered a poignant speech linking Sarajevo’s tragic past to the current horrors unfolding in Palestine.
Standing near the infamous “Sniper Alley,” Kamenica recounted the harrowing death of seven-year-old Nermin Divović, shot by a sniper during the siege of Sarajevo in 1994.
She reflected on the over 1,600 children killed during that time and shared a deeply personal memory.
“Just minutes before the gunfire, I passed a frail woman with two children. One of those children, whom I exchanged glances with, would be dead moments later. The sniper likely had me in their sights too but chose to fire at others,” says Kamenica.
Participants read aloud the names of 17,000 children killed in Gaza, stood silently holding banners, and expressed their solidarity through artistic performances.
The event featured a humanitarian bazaar, with proceeds aimed at purchasing tents for the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, providing vital relief for displaced families.
Kamenica also extended her message to journalists in Gaza and Lebanon.
“In this dirty war for territory, resources, and the destruction of an entire people, your dedication to humanity has captured hearts worldwide, including ours. To those in power, we say: Stop killing journalists! Without them, the world becomes darker. Stop killing anyone! Stop the destruction — build instead,” says Kamenica.
Veteran journalist Arijana Saračević-Helac also expressed unwavering support for her peers in Gaza, sharing her perspective as a war reporter who understands their pain.
“We have a duty to stand by them, even if this is the only way we can help,” says Helac.
The event also featured remarks from Dr. Jusuf Hadžir, a physician of Palestinian origin and former Director of the Dobrinja War Hospital, and actress Emina Muftić, further emphasizing the universal call for justice and peace.
The solidarity shown in Sarajevo resonated globally, with thousands marching for Palestine in cities such as Mexico City, New York, Vancouver, Marrakesh, and London. Protesters demanded an end to violence, recognition of Palestinian human rights, and justice for the victims of the ongoing conflict.
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed annually on 29 November, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977 to highlight the unresolved question of Palestine and the rights of its people.
In 2024, this commemoration was especially poignant, as the fundamental goals of dignity, rights, justice, and self-determination for Palestinians remained as distant as ever.
In London, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign organized a national demonstration on 30 November 30, 2024 echoing the demands heard in Sarajevo.
Protesters called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid access, and a resolution to the conflict. Events in other cities followed suit, with millions across the globe reinforcing the international community’s call for peace and justice.
The Sarajevo gathering, along with worldwide demonstrations, underscored a growing global movement advocating for Palestinian rights and an end to the violence.
From artistic expressions to powerful speeches, the event in Sarajevo served as both a reminder of humanity’s collective responsibility and a rallying cry for action.
