A pro-Palestinian protest rally and a festival of Israeli culture took place almost side-by-side on Prague’s Štvanice island on Sunday. 

The festival, celebrating Israeli culture, cuisine, music, and traditions, features dozens of stalls offering books, jewelry, snacks, and religious items such as the menorah. The day’s schedule included lectures, concerts, and workshops — even a program for children with activities like Hebrew lessons and craft stations.

But beneath the festive atmosphere, tensions were palpable.

Under the Štvanice footbridge, pro-Palestinian activists staged a demonstration, accusing the Israeli state of committing genocide in Gaza.

Protesters displayed banners and waved flags just steps from the festival entrance. The bridge itself has become symbolic — with “Free Palestine” signs on one side and Israeli flags on the other, reflecting the broader geopolitical divide.

The event area was fenced off and guarded by dozens of police officers and members of the anti-conflict team. Entry required passing through security checks, and demonstrators were kept at a distance by a heavy police presence.

Nearby, another group attempted a quieter form of protest — a picnic. They spread out blankets and intended to raise Palestinian flags, but were instructed by police that any political expression must take place within the officially sanctioned assembly area approved by Prague City Hall.

As the day progressed, the festival continued its cultural programming. Afternoon highlights included a Krav Maga workshop and Israeli folk dancing. Evening events featured live concerts and DJ sets.

Initially, the City of Prague was reluctant to approve the protest in such close proximity to the festival. According to reporting by Novinky.cz, the municipality had raised concerns about safety.

Právě teď na protestu proti izraelské okupaci Palestiny. Ten se až do večera koná na pražské Štvanici v souvislosti s nedalekým propagandistickým festivalem Izrael na Vltavě. #palestina #izrael #izraelnavltave #stvanice #praha #kscm pic.twitter.com/pKz0NFP8FY

— Milan Krajča (@milankrajcacz) May 25, 2025

However, officials ultimately accepted the legal argument made by the protest’s organizers. The city acknowledged that such an assembly could not be restricted unless it posed an immediate threat to public order — although they emphasized that similar demonstrations in the past had escalated into violence.

To mitigate risks, the city imposed strict conditions: demonstrators had to maintain a physical distance, and were prohibited from disrupting festival activities or blocking the delivery of supplies.

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