Spain witnesses mass demonstrations in support of Palestine

By Senhan Bolelli

MADRID (AA) - Thousands of people took to the streets in over 100 cities and towns across Spain over the weekend to demonstrate their support for Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza.

The nationwide protests, organized by the Solidarity Network against the Occupation of Palestine (RESCOP), called for an end to the genocide in Gaza and an urgent cease-fire.

This marked the fourth nationwide demonstration since the beginning of Israel's attacks on Gaza last October.

The demonstrators displayed placards condemning the genocide in Gaza, the occupation of Palestine, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and settler colonialism.

They called on the Spanish government and the international community to take urgent, concrete and effective measures against Israel, including halting arms trade with the country and boycotting Israeli companies involved in the massacre.

In Madrid, thousands marched through the city center on Sunday waving Palestinian flags and criticizing Israel, the US and the European Union for their complicity.

Ione Belarra, the leader of the left-wing Podemos party, who participated in the demonstrations in support of Palestine, accused the US of complicity by approving $26 billion in military aid to Israel.

Belarra called on the Spanish government and the EU to sever all ties with the US.

In Barcelona, a human mosaic representing the Palestinian flag was formed during the demonstration on Saturday, which was attended by approximately 3,500 people.

A manifesto read during the demonstration emphasized that Israel carries out massacres in Gaza and occupies Palestinian territories with complete impunity, thanks to the support of the US and the EU.

Similar demonstrations were held in major Spanish cities such as Seville, Coruna, Almeria, Burgos, Cadiz, Granada, Malaga, Murcia, Salamanca, Valladolid and Zaragoza.