Huge crowds gathered at pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Europe on Saturday, demanding an immediate halt to the Gaza conflict and the release of activists aboard a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for the region. In Rome, approximately 250,000 people participated in the fourth consecutive day of protests following Israel’s interception of the 45-ship flotilla en route to Gaza earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, in Barcelona, an estimated 70,000 individuals marched in solidarity, with nearly 92,000 taking to the streets in Madrid as reported by the government. In Dublin, several thousand protesters marched through the city center to commemorate what organizers labeled as “two years of genocide” in Gaza.
Spain, alongside Ireland, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which were triggered by an attack by Hamas fighters near the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. In contrast, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has faced criticism for its perceived inaction concerning the Palestinian territory’s siege.
During the demonstrations in Rome, protesters, including families and children, chanted slogans like “We are all Palestinians,” “Free Palestine,” and “Stop the genocide,” while waving Palestinian flags and donning black-and-white keffiyehs. Prime Minister Meloni condemned the defacement of a statue of Pope John Paul II in front of Rome’s main train station by demonstrators, denouncing it as a “shameful act.”
Participants expressed varied motivations for joining the protests, with one individual highlighting the historical experiences of certain European countries that have shaped their values of resistance and democracy. In Barcelona, a pensioner named Marta Carranza emphasized the need for public outcry against Israel’s longstanding policies.
The intercepted Global Sumud flotilla, which departed from Barcelona in early September to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza, had around 50 Spaniards detained by Israel, according to Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. Flotilla organizers argued that Israel’s interception in international waters was unlawful.
In Paris, approximately 10,000 individuals gathered, with a spokesperson for the French segment of Global Sumud affirming their commitment to continue challenging the blockade until Palestine and Gaza achieve freedom. The demonstrations drew support from individuals like Jordi Bas, a primary school teacher in Barcelona, who highlighted a growing global solidarity movement in support of Palestine.
The protests in Europe have not been without controversy, with incidents like the disruption of a cycling race in Madrid due to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, leading Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call for Israel’s exclusion from international sports events in response to the Gaza conflict. Spain had earlier announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, deemed a violation of international law by the UN.
In Ireland, calls were made for sanctions against Israel and a swift resolution to the conflict, with demands for Palestinian involvement in any ceasefire agreements. London saw police arresting over 442 individuals at a gathering supporting the Palestine Action group, following a deadly attack on a synagogue earlier in the week. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged demonstrators to stay home amid escalating tensions.