Title: Pro-Palestinian Protests Draw Large Crowds Across Europe

Massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place across Europe on Saturday, with hundreds of thousands participating in cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid. The protests were fueled by calls for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the release of activists detained during a humanitarian aid flotilla intercepted by Israel.

In Rome, police estimated that around 250,000 people attended the rally, while organizers claimed the number was closer to 1 million. This marked the fourth consecutive day of protests in the Italian capital. Demonstrators, including families and children, chanted slogans such as "We are all Palestinians" and "Free Palestine," while waving Palestinian flags and wearing traditional keffiyehs.

In Spain, approximately 70,000 people marched in Barcelona, and nearly 92,000 gathered in Madrid, according to police reports. Activists had been planning these demonstrations for weeks, particularly in response to the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed that about 50 Spaniards from the flotilla had been detained by Israel.

Marta Carranza, a 65-year-old protester in Barcelona, expressed her frustration, stating, "Israel’s policy has been wrong for many years and we have to take to the streets."

In Dublin, several thousand people marched to commemorate what organizers described as "two years of genocide" in Gaza. Speakers at the event called for sanctions against Israel and emphasized the need for Palestinian representation in any ceasefire negotiations.

In London, police reported at least 442 arrests during a gathering supporting the Palestine Action group. Meanwhile, in Paris, around 10,000 people rallied, with Helene Coron, a spokesperson for the French contingent of the Sumud Flotilla, declaring, "We’ll never stop. This flotilla didn’t get to Gaza. But we will send another, then another until Palestine and Gaza are free."

The protests in Italy have drawn criticism towards Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government for its perceived inaction regarding the Gaza conflict. Meloni condemned demonstrators for vandalizing a statue of Pope John Paul II, calling it a "shameful act."

The protests come amid a backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza, which began after a Hamas attack in October 2023 that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel's military response has reportedly led to over 67,000 deaths and nearly 170,000 injuries, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which is affiliated with the Hamas-run government.

As the demonstrations unfolded, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the destruction in Gaza a "genocide" and suggested that Israel should be barred from international sports, similar to sanctions imposed on Russia. In September, Spain announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are deemed illegal under international law.

The protests reflect a growing wave of support for Palestinians across Europe, with many hoping to influence their governments to take a firmer stance against Israel's military actions in Gaza.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, with many calling for urgent diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.