Tens of Thousands March in Barcelona Against Gaza Blockade

UPDATE: Tens of thousands are marching in Barcelona today, as protests erupt across Southern Europe against Israel’s blockade in Gaza. This demonstration follows widespread anger after the Israeli interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla that departed from Barcelona, aiming to break the blockade.

As of now, police estimate that approximately 70,000 protesters have gathered on the city’s main boulevard, Passeig de Gracia. Families and individuals of all ages are participating, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs with messages like “Gaza hurts me” and “Stop the Genocide.” The protests are part of a larger wave of demonstrations expected to unfold in Madrid, Rome, and Lisbon later today.

Protests were called weeks in advance, fueled by recent events including the removal of over 450 activists from flotilla boats by Israel this week, among whom are more than 40 Spaniards, including a former Barcelona mayor. On Friday, Italy witnessed more than 2 million people rallying in solidarity with Gaza during a nationwide general strike.

The protests in Spain reflect an escalating public outcry, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the destruction in Gaza as “genocide” and called for the prohibition of Israeli teams from international sports events. Demonstrators hope these protests will urge European leaders to adopt a firmer stance against Israel.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with reports indicating that over 67,000 people have died since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, public sentiment has shifted dramatically in Spain. Many participants, like María Jesús Parra, a 63-year-old protester who traveled for an hour to attend, express their outrage and demand action: “How is it possible that we are witnessing a genocide happening live after what we (as Europe) experienced in the 1940s?”

While the protests may not immediately influence the Israeli government, organizers hope to inspire additional demonstrations and reinforce calls for European intervention.

In Rome, a separate protest is underway organized by three Palestinian groups, local unions, and students, expecting to draw tens of thousands of participants. Similar events are planned in Athens this weekend, with police anticipating larger crowds on Sunday coinciding with a pro-Israeli rally.

The escalating violence in Gaza began following a Hamas attack in October 2023, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages. The ongoing Israeli military offensive has led to catastrophic casualties, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting nearly 170,000 injuries, many of whom are children.

As demonstrations continue to unfold in Barcelona and beyond, the world watches closely, with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza drawing increasing attention and demands for action. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.