Protest blocks trams in central Prague

Roughly thirty demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags blocked tram traffic on Národní třída in central Prague shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday. Police, including riot units, intervened and detained 17 protesters.

The protest, which had not been authorized, brought trams to a standstill when several dozen people sat down on the tracks at Národní třída station. Protesters carried a large banner reading “Israel commits genocide” and waved Palestinian flags. Most had their faces covered with masks.

Police spokesman Jan Daněk said officers repeatedly called on the protesters to clear the tram tracks, but the group refused to comply. “Officers then intervened, detaining 17 individuals for failing to obey police orders and committing a traffic offense,” Daněk said.

Tram services resumed at 8:43 p.m., nearly two hours after the blockade began.