Protests in Barcelona & Rome: Gaza Campaign Demonstrations
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Protests Erupt Across southern Europe in Support of Palestine
Table of Contents
The Scale of the Protests
Tens of thousands of people marched in Barcelona on Saturday, and important crowds turned out in Rome for a second day of Italian protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Protests in spain’s second-largest city, as well as in Madrid, where organized weeks in advance. Demonstrations in Rome, and later Lisbon, followed widespread anger after the Israeli interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla attempting to break the blockade of the palestinian territory.
Over 40 Spaniards, including a former Barcelona mayor, were among the 450 activists that israel removed from the flotilla’s boats this week.
Italy already witnessed over 2 million people rallying on Friday across the country in a one-day general strike to support the Palestinians in Gaza.
Rising Support for Palestinians in Spain
Spain has seen a surge of support for Palestinians in recent weeks,coinciding with its left-wing government’s intensified diplomatic efforts against Benjamin netanyahu’s far-right government. Protests against the presence of an Israeli-owned cycling team repeatedly disrupted the Spanish Vuelta last month.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has publicly stated that the destruction in Gaza constitutes a “genocide” and has called for a ban on all Israeli teams from international sporting events.
Hamas’ Response to Proposed Ceasefire
The calls for protests in Southern Europe come as Hamas announced it has accepted some elements of a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the two-year conflict,which has left Gaza’s largest city facing famine and sparked accusations of genocide against Israel.
Barcelona Presentation Details
Barcelona’s town hall estimates that 70,000 people participated in Saturday’s demonstration.People filled Barcelona’s wide Passeig de Gracia, the city’s main central boulevard. Families and people of all ages carried Palestinian flags and held signs with messages like ”Gaza hurts me,” “Stop the Genocide,” and “Hands off the flotilla.”