Hundreds of Thousands Rally Across Europe for Palestine

A protester holds a defaced poster depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the words "Terrorist, Genocidal, Rapist" during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, in Madrid on October 4, 2025

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Europe on Saturday, protesting in support of Palestine and calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. Demonstrators also demanded the release of activists detained after attempting to deliver humanitarian aid via a flotilla to the territory.

In Rome, Italian police reported around 250,000 participants on the fourth consecutive day of protests, following Israel’s interception of the 45-strong flotilla earlier this week. In Spain, authorities said nearly 92,000 marched in Madrid and around 70,000 in Barcelona.

Thousands also marched in Dublin to mark what organisers described as “two years of genocide” in Gaza. Spain and Ireland have been among Europe’s most vocal critics of Israel’s military offensive, triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israeli communities on 7 October 2023.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned protesters for defacing a statue of Pope John Paul II near Rome’s main train station, calling it a “shameful act.” Protesters, including families with children, carried Palestinian flags, chanted “We are all Palestinians” and “Stop the genocide,” and wore black-and-white keffiyehs.

“Usually, I don’t attend large demonstrations, but today I couldn’t stay home,” said Donato Colucci, a scout leader accompanying 150 youths. “Countries like Italy, France, and Spain have developed a culture of resistance and democratic values because they experienced dictatorship and violence.”

In Barcelona, 65-year-old demonstrator Marta Carranza said, “Israel’s policy has been wrong for many years and we have to take to the streets.”

The protests were sparked by the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla, which departed Barcelona in early September to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the UN warns famine has taken hold. Around 50 Spaniards from the flotilla were detained by Israel, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed. Flotilla organisers described the interception as illegal, arguing the vessels were in international waters.

In Paris, around 10,000 protesters gathered, with Helene Coron, a spokesperson for the French contingent of Global Sumud, telling the crowd: “We’ll never stop. This flotilla didn’t reach Gaza, but we’ll send another until Palestine is free.”

Jordi Bas, a primary school teacher in Barcelona, said the massive turnout reflected growing global solidarity. “People are beginning to wake up; the whole world is mobilising in support of Palestine,” he said.

Earlier in September, around 100,000 demonstrators in Madrid forced the halt of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, where an Israeli team was competing. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for Israel to be barred from international sport, mirroring sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Spain also announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

In Ireland, speakers demanded immediate sanctions on Israel and full Palestinian involvement in ceasefire negotiations. In London, police made at least 442 arrests at a pro-Palestine gathering, prompting Prime Minister Keir Starmer to urge citizens to avoid protests following a deadly synagogue attack on Thursday.

The European rallies highlight widespread concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and growing international pressure for an end to the violence.