In Norway's five largest cities, tens of thousands of people marched in torchlight processions Thursday evening in support of peace and in support and memory of the victims of the ME war. A pro-Israeli demonstration turned into a street fight.

In Oslo, the Youngstorget Square was filled with people when the procession began with appeals from among others TUC leader Roar Flaaten and Oslo Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme. Thousands were also gathered in the side streets leading to the square.

More than 80 organisations were represented. Humanitarian groups, churches, labour unions, and sports organisations and others participated in the appeal for peace.

Also in Bergen, Trondheim, Tromsoe and Stavanger thousands of people joined in the march which was also in support and memory of the many victims of the ME war.

In Oslo, the torchlight procession for peace was preceeded by a demonstration outside the Parliament buildings (Stortinget) in support of Israel.

Despite a large number of police, which erected barriers to protect the pro Israeli demonstrators, a large crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered, shouting slogans and also throwing rocks and bottles.

The police therefore used teargas in an effort at trying to disperse the attackers, but in the end they were forced to terminate the pro-Israeli demonstration as well.

Six people, five of them policemen, were injured in the street battle which is described by the police as the worst in Oslo i 30 years. More  than 30 people were detained, 12 of them have been charged with violence against the police and grievous bodily harm.

The support committee for Gaza has condemned the use of violence in Thursday's demonstration, critisising in particular the young Palestinians who took part in turning it into a street fight.

Member of the committe, Nor Obeid (25), is saddened by the outcome, and the fact that the police came under attack.

She says that the Paalestinian youth have to learn that they have to behave in order to achieve anything.

She says the Palestinian youth who used violence are harming the cause of Palestine and those who suffer in Gaza.

(NRK)

Rolleiv Solholm