Tens of thousands of citizens in Spain took to the streets five days after the start of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, to express their opposition to the Israeli military operation in the enclave. The unions have called for a symbolic strike – a two-hour work stoppage, in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening.
Protests were held in numerous cities, including Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona, each drawing several thousand participants. Although local traffic delays and short-term interruptions of TV programs were reported, no major disruptions to public life were reported.
In Barcelona, the protests escalated. According to Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, police used tear gas to prevent protesters from entering the city’s train station. Some demonstrators threw bottles at the police, writes La Vanguardia, and large plastic waste containers, characteristic of city streets, were also set on fire.
Thousands of people across Spain — from Madrid to Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville — took part in demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinian people, held as part of a nationwide strike. pic.twitter.com/PssvzAasFr
— Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil (@ivan_8848) October 15, 2025
Spain has ranked among the loudest European critics of Israel’s moves in Gaza. The government of left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez imposed an embargo on arms exports to Israel and banned some members of the far-right wing of the Israeli government from entering the country.
Prime Minister Sánchez openly accused Israel of carrying out genocide in Gaza, which caused additional tensions in international relations, but also increased support for pro-Palestinian protests within Spain.
(Vijesti.ba)
