Basel hosts permitted Silent Walk and unauthorized rally

On the evening of September 8, 2026, Basel hosted both a permitted ‘Silent Walk’ and an unauthorized demonstration titled ‘Basel stands with Palestine.’

The permitted ‘Silent Walk’ began at Elisabethenanlage and proceeded through Elisabethenstrasse, Barfüsserplatz, and Gerbergasse, concluding with speeches at the Marktplatz. The event ended as scheduled at 20:30.

Simultaneously, approximately fifty people gathered at Claraplatz for the unpermitted ‘Basel stands with Palestine’ rally. While the Basel-Stadt Cantonal Police worked to prevent the two groups from meeting, a few individuals attempted to disrupt the ‘Silent Walk’ near the Marktplatz. Police dialogue teams intervened to ensure no disturbances were tolerated.

Both events remained peaceful, though the demonstrations caused temporary traffic disruptions and approximately one hour of public transport delays in the city center.