On Thursday, widespread demonstrations erupted throughout Europe following Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy en route to Gaza, igniting renewed demands for stricter European sanctions against Tel Aviv.
Departing from Barcelona last month, the flotilla comprised 41 vessels carrying over 400 individuals, including politicians, activists, and environmental advocate Greta Thunberg, all aiming to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The United Nations has issued warnings about escalating famine conditions within the Gaza Strip amid nearly two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli authorities confirmed that their navy intercepted the convoy, preventing it from reaching Palestinian shores. Among those detained were former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, both now facing deportation orders from Israel.
Spain reacted swiftly and vehemently. Approximately 15,000 demonstrators marched through Barcelona, chanting slogans such as “Gaza, you are not alone,” “Boycott Israel,” and “Freedom for Palestine.” Clashes broke out when riot police confronted protesters attempting to breach security perimeters. Similar solidarity protests drew around 10,000 participants in Madrid, with additional gatherings in Bilbao, Seville, and Valencia.
In France, roughly 1,000 people assembled at Paris’s Place de la République. Meanwhile, in Marseille, over 100 pro-Palestinian activists were detained after trying to block access to Eurolinks, a weapons manufacturer accused of supplying components to the Israeli military.
Italy witnessed significant mobilization as well, with labor unions calling for a nationwide strike on Friday. Thousands took to the streets, chanting, “We are ready to halt everything. The machinery of genocide must end now.”
Veteran campaigner Gianfranco Pagliarulo, aged 76, expressed his frustration with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s response to the crisis. “Rather than standing with the victims, the government is siding with the aggressors, which is utterly unacceptable,” he told AFP. Although Italy deployed a naval frigate to monitor the flotilla, it refrained from escorting the aid vessels past Israel’s declared blockade after Meloni urged activists to abandon their mission.
In Brussels, around 3,000 protesters gathered outside the European Parliament, brandishing signs demanding an end to the siege. The atmosphere intensified as smoke bombs and fireworks illuminated the crowd, with demonstrators accusing the European Union of financially supporting Israel. One participant, identifying herself as Isis, told AFPTV, “Every ship deserves protection. The EU must halt the massive funds it sends to Israel.”
Geneva saw a comparable turnout, where young activists ignited a bonfire near the central train station before marching toward the Mont Blanc bridge. Riot police intervened to disperse the crowd following brief confrontations.
Support for Gaza extended beyond Europe’s borders. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, dozens gathered outside the U.S. embassy to protest Israel’s blockade. “We are deeply disturbed… angry and appalled because this concerns humanity,” said 43-year-old Ili Farhan. “They are merely delivering aid and baby food… this detention is unjust.”
