Silent procession for children of Palestine, Israel to pass through Prague

A silent procession called “Light for the Extinguished Childhoods in Palestine and Israel” is set to take place on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m., aiming to honor children whose lives have been devastated by ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Organized by musicians Tamara and Tomáš Klus, alongside religious leaders including Catholic priest Tomáš Halík, the march will feature participation from humanitarian groups such as Doctors Without Borders, Caritas Czech Republic, Amnesty International, and the Organization for Refugee Assistance.

Participants are asked to wear white and march without banners or flags, ending at the Catholic Church of the Holy Savior for a prayer service. A benefit concert at Lucerna Music Bar will follow, with proceeds going to support civilians in Gaza.

“The procession is a deep, silent expression of pain, compassion and disgust,” the organizers said. “When words run out, silence is also a stance. And it can be very loud.”

The demonstration comes as international concern over the Gaza conflict grows. Czech President Petr Pavel and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia Monday that continued fighting is fueling global anti-Israel sentiment. They also stressed the importance of pressuring Hamas to release hostages and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

The Gaza conflict, which erupted in October 2023 after Hamas attacks killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has drawn widespread criticism over civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation exacerbated by Israel’s blockade.

Czechia broadly aligns with the EU on Israel’s actions while voicing its own concerns, President Pavel said.

“We perceive with concern some of the latest steps by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, including the expansion of settlements, which reduce the chances of a two-state solution,” Pavel said prior to leaving for the forum in Bled as a keynote speaker.