Demonstrations are set to take place in Spain, Italy, and Portugal to protest against Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza. The protests in Madrid and Barcelona have been organized for weeks, intensifying due to public outcry following the Israeli interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla launched from Barcelona intended to breach the blockade of the Palestinian territory. In Italy, over 2 million people participated in a one-day general strike on Friday to express solidarity with Gaza's residents.
In recent weeks, Spain has witnessed a surge in support for Palestinians, leading to significant protests. As the Spanish government escalates its diplomatic efforts against the regime of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demonstrations reflecting public sentiment have become more frequent. Notably, protests against the participation of an Israeli-owned cycling team disrupted the Spanish Vuelta last month. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the destruction in Gaza as “genocide” and advocated for barring all Israeli teams from international sports events.
The conflict in Gaza escalated following a Hamas attack on Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage. In retaliation, Israel's military operations have reportedly killed over 66,000 people and injured nearly 170,000 in Gaza, according to figures released by Gaza's Health Ministry, which is associated with the Hamas-led government. The United Nations and various independent experts regard these figures as the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.
The call for protests across Southern Europe coincides with Hamas's acceptance of some elements of a peace plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump designed to conclude the nearly two-year-long conflict. The war has devastated Gaza, leading to widespread famine and accusations of genocide directed at Israel due to the humanitarian crisis that has ensued.
The planned protest in Barcelona is scheduled to commence at noon local time, with a subsequent demonstration in Madrid later in the evening. These events reflect a growing sentiment among citizens in Southern Europe regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider implications of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
