Massive pro-Palestinian rallies sweep across Europe demanding Gaza ceasefire
Large numbers gathered at pro-Palestinian rallies across Europe on Saturday, demanding an immediate cessation of the war in Gaza and the release of activists from a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the region.
Organizers of the protest in Rome reported that hundreds of thousands had participated for the fourth consecutive day, following Israel’s interception of the flotilla, which consisted of 45 vessels attempting to reach Gaza earlier in the week.
In Barcelona, around 70,000 individuals, according to police reports, joined the demonstrations in one of several pro-Palestinian protests held throughout Spain.
In other parts of Europe, thousands marched through central Dublin, the capital of Ireland, to protest what organizers described as "two years of genocide" in Gaza.
Along with Ireland, Spain stands as one of the most vocal European critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which were triggered by Hamas militants attacking Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
However, in Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right government has faced criticism for its lack of response to the siege of the Palestinian territory.
On Saturday, Meloni accused protesters of vandalizing a statue of Pope John Paul II with graffiti in front of Rome’s main train station, labeling it a "shameful act."
"They claim to march for peace, yet they disrespect the memory of a man who was a true advocate and builder of peace," she stated.
In Rome, demonstrators, including families with children, shouted slogans like "We are all Palestinians," "Free Palestine," and "Stop the genocide," while many waved Palestinian flags and wore black-and-white checkered keffiyehs.
"Usually, I don’t favor large-scale demonstrations, but today I couldn’t stay home," said Donato Colucci, a 44-year-old scout leader who accompanied 150 youths from a secular association, as he spoke to AFP.
"I believe countries like Italy, France, and Spain have developed a culture of resistance and democratic values more so than others because they have experienced dictatorship and violence."
In Barcelona, Marta Carranza, a 65-year-old retiree demonstrating with a Palestinian flag draped on her back, expressed that Israel’s policy "has been wrong for many years, and we need to take to the streets."
The Global Sumud flotilla, intercepted on Wednesday, departed from Barcelona in early September and aimed to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations reports famine conditions are present.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares disclosed on public television that approximately 50 Spaniards on the flotilla had been detained by Israel.
The flotilla’s organizers argue that Israel’s actions were "illegal" as the interception occured while the vessels were navigating international waters.
In Paris, where roughly 10,000 gathered, Helene Coron, a spokesperson for the French wing of Global Sumud, addressed the crowd, stating, "We’ll never stop.
"This flotilla didn’t reach Gaza. But we will send another, and then another until Palestine and Gaza are liberated."
Jordi Bas, a 40-year-old primary school teacher brandishing a Palestinian flag in Barcelona, remarked that he wasn’t surprised by the substantial turnout.
"People are starting to wake up," he noted, mentioning that "the whole world is mobilizing in solidarity."
On September 14, around 100,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators halted the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race in the Spanish capital, where an Israeli team was participating.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez suggested that Israel should be excluded from international sports because of the Gaza conflict, similar to how Russia faced repercussions due to its invasion of Ukraine.
In September, Spain declared that it would prohibit imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which have been characterized by UN rights chief Volker Turk as a war crime.
In Ireland, speakers advocated for sanctions against Israel and an immediate resolution to the conflict, including Palestinian participation in the ceasefire plan.
In London, police reported making at least 355 arrests at a gathering in support of the banned Palestine Action group. Prime Minister Keir Starmer advised against protests over the weekend following a violent attack on a synagogue on Thursday.
Politics Editor
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
