Large numbers turned out at pro-Palestinian rallies in Europe on Saturday, calling for a right away finish to the warfare in Gaza and the discharge of activists on board a flotilla carrying humanitarian help to the territory.
The police in Rome mentioned some 250,000 turned out for a fourth day of protests, after Israel intercepted the 45-strong flotilla in search of to achieve Gaza earlier this week.
Some 70,000 individuals took to the streets in Barcelona, in line with the police, whereas the federal government in Madrid mentioned almost 92,000 marched within the Spanish capital.
Elsewhere, a number of thousand individuals marched via the centre of the Irish capital, Dublin, to mark what organisers mentioned was “two years of genocide” in Gaza.
With Eire, Spain is likely one of the fiercest European critics of Israel’s army offensive in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas militants’ October 7, 2023, assault on Israeli communities close to the Gaza Strip.
However in Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right authorities has been criticised for its inaction on the siege of the Palestinian territory.
On Saturday, Meloni accused demonstrators of defacing a statue of Pope John Paul II with graffiti in entrance of Rome’s primary prepare station, calling it a “shameful act”.
“They declare to take to the streets for peace, however they insult the reminiscence of a person who was a real defender and builder of peace,” she mentioned in a press release.
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Protesters within the Italian capital, together with households with kids, shouted, “We’re all Palestinians”, “Free Palestine” and “Cease the genocide”, with many carrying Palestinian flags and carrying black-and-white chequered keffiyehs.
Professional-Palestinian demonstrators wave flags as they participate within the protest in Rome on October 4, 2025. (Photograph by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)
“Normally, I do not recognize large-scale demonstrations, however in the present day, I could not carry myself to remain residence,” Donato Colucci, a 44-year-old scout chief accompanying 150 youths from a secular affiliation, advised AFP.
“I feel international locations like Italy, France, and Spain have developed a tradition of resistance and democratic values greater than others as a result of they skilled dictatorship and violence.”
In Barcelona, Marta Carranza, a 65-year-old pensioner demonstrating with a Palestinian flag on her again, mentioned Israel’s coverage “has been incorrect for a few years and we now have to take to the streets”.
Solidarity
The International Sumud flotilla, which was intercepted on Wednesday, left Barcelona in early September and had been in search of to interrupt the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the place the United Nations says famine has taken maintain.
Protesters maintain a banner studying “Cease the genocide in Palestine. Lengthy stay the battle of the Palestinian individuals!” throughout an illustration in solidarity with the Palestinians within the Gaza strip, in Madrid on October 4, 2025. (Photograph by Thomas COEX / AFP)
Round 50 Spaniards on the flotilla have been detained by Israel, Spanish International Minister Jose Manuel Albares advised public tv in an interview aired on Saturday.
The flotilla organisers say Israel’s actions have been “unlawful” since they intercepted the vessels whereas they have been traversing worldwide waters.
In Paris, the place some 10,000 individuals gathered, a spokesperson for the French contingent of International Sumud, Helene Coron, advised the gang: “We’ll by no means cease.
“This flotilla did not get to Gaza. However we’ll ship one other, then one other till Palestine and Gaza are free.”
A demonstrator holds a placard studying “Your closed eyes, their spilled blood” throughout a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Paris on October 4, 2025. (Photograph by Anna KURTH / AFP)
Jordi Bas, a 40-year-old main faculty instructor waving a Palestinian flag in Barcelona, mentioned he was not shocked by the massive turn-out.
“Persons are starting to get up a bit,” he added, saying “the entire world is mobilising in solidarity”.
On September 14, round 100,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators pressured the halt of the ultimate stage of the Vuelta a Espana biking race within the Spanish capital, the place an Israeli group was competing.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez mentioned Israel ought to be barred from worldwide sport over the Gaza warfare, simply as Russia was penalised over its invasion of Ukraine.
Professional-Palestinian demonstrators maintain a banner studying “cease the collaboration with the Israeli occupier” and Palestinian flags as they attend a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Paris on October 4, 2025. (Photograph by Anna KURTH / AFP)
In September, Spain mentioned it will ban imports from Israeli settlements within the occupied West Financial institution, which have been described by UN rights chief Volker Turk as a warfare crime.
In Eire, audio system referred to as for sanctions on Israel and a right away finish to the battle — and Palestinian involvement within the ceasefire plan.
In London, police mentioned they made no less than 442 arrests at a gathering in help of the proscribed Palestine Motion group. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged protesters to remain residence this weekend, after a lethal synagogue assault on Thursday.
