Israeli, Lithuanian Presidents Face Pro-Palestinian Protests in Baltic Capitals

Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to the Baltic states, including Lithuania and Latvia, has sparked both diplomatic engagement and protests centered on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Lithuania, President Gitanas Nausėda defended the visit while expressing concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging Israel to ensure adequate aid delivery and condemning the use of starvation as a weapon, as well as violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank. Herzog emphasized Israel's humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza and the urgent need to rescue Israeli hostages, highlighting the ongoing conflict and criticizing Hamas for exacerbating civilian suffering. In Latvia, small pro-Palestinian protests opposed the official visit, calling attention to Israeli government officials accused by the International Criminal Court, while counter-protesters expressed support for Israel's democratic values and peace efforts. Lithuania's diplomatic stance aligns with broader Western support for Israel's sovereignty, amid ongoing international debates and public demonstrations reflecting the polarized views on the conflict. Herzog's Baltic tour aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in economic, technological, and security areas despite the contentious backdrop of the Middle East crisis.