Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Europe over the weekend, demanding an immediate end to Israel’s two-year war on Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine.
The largest demonstration took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where around 250,000 people gathered at Museum Square on Sunday before marching through the city centre.
Wrapped in Palestinian flags and wearing red, protesters demanded that their government adopt a tougher stance against Israel and halt arms exports to the occupying power.
“The bloodshed must stop – and it’s sad that we have to be here because of a weak government that refuses to draw a red line. That’s why we’re standing here, hoping this makes a difference,” said protester Marieke van Zijl, according to the Associated Press.
The protest came just weeks before national elections, adding political pressure on Dutch leaders, who have traditionally supported Israel. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel recently stated that the government is “unlikely” to approve the export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel due to mounting public anger.
Amnesty International, which helped organise the protests, urged European governments to use all diplomatic and economic tools to pressure Israel.
In Turkiye, solidarity with Palestine was powerfully displayed. In Istanbul, huge crowds marched from Hagia Sophia to the Golden Horn, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags. Many protesters had joined after midday prayers, calling for Muslim unity against Israel’s aggression.
In Ankara, demonstrators waved flags and banners, with activists describing Israel’s actions as “genocide” that began in 1948 and has intensified over the past two years.
Support for Palestine is strong in Turkiye, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan among Israel’s most vocal critics, accusing Tel Aviv of committing war crimes.
Turkish journalist Ersin Celik, a participant in the Gaza Flotilla, claimed to have witnessed Swedish activist Greta Thunberg being tortured by Israeli forces during a recent protest.
Similar demonstrations spread across Bulgaria, where protesters carried placards reading “Gaza: Starvation is a Weapon of War.” In Morocco’s capital Rabat, demonstrators burned an Israeli flag and called on the government to reverse its 2020 decision to normalise relations with Israel.
Smaller protests were also seen across Spain, following massive rallies in Madrid, Rome, and Barcelona, where participants carried white bundles symbolising Gaza’s slain children. Meanwhile, Hamas announced it had accepted parts of a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, though much of Gaza remains devastated.
