Pro-Palestine protesters in Spain call for end to Gaza genocide, break of ties with Israel
Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters staged rallies across Spain demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, urging the government to break institutional ties and end arms trade with Israel.
Spaniards on Saturday staged anti-Israel rallies in more than 90 municipalities throughout Spain, with the largest one in the capital Madrid, where over 50,000 people are estimated to have participated in solidarity with Palestine.
In Madrid, large crowds waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Ceasefire now,” and “Free Palestine.”
Others were carrying banners and posters that read “Not in our name, not with my money,” “Israel murders, Europe sponsors,” or “We want to ask Pedro Sánchez how many children have to be killed to break with criminal Zionism.”
“The horror we are witnessing is unacceptable for any advanced society,” Fernando Gallardo, a 49-year-old insurance sector employee participating in the protest said.
Protests also hold placards and banners calling for boycotting Israel.
“No human being can condone this genocide and massacre,” said Aida Rodrigez another protester adding that “attacking hospitals and civilians are barbarism and anyone who says ‘I am human’ cannot remain silent.”
Some protesters also carried South African flags, after that country brought a case against Israel to the UN’s top court, accusing Tel Aviv of genocide against Palestinians.
The protest was organized by the Solidarity Network against the Occupation of Palestine (RESCOP), a conglomerate of over 100 civil society organizations in Spain.
The organizers urged the Spanish government to sever all political, economic, cultural, and sporting relations with Israel and take concrete steps for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to stop the genocide.
They called Spain Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, to join South Africa’s lawsuit before the International Court of Justice, ending the arms trade with Israel and breaking relations.
The demonstration, which was also supported by some left-wing political parties and MPs, observed a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
ME
