Pro-Palestinian protesters in Europe blocked roads, vandalized shops and universities after Israel seized a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Protests in Europe over interception of Gaza aid flotilla
On Thursday, protests took place in many European cities after Israeli forces intercepted a humanitarian flotilla of more than 40 ships heading to Gaza. Armed soldiers detained more than 400 activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
In Barcelona, protesters smashed shop windows and spray-painted anti-Israel slogans on the facades of shops and restaurants, including Starbucks, Burger King and Carrefour. Some demonstrators condemned the vandalism, calling for peaceful protest.
Italy: Student occupations and roadblocks
In Italy, students occupied universities in Milan and Rome, and in Bologna they blocked access to universities using tires. In Turin, hundreds of people blocked the city’s ring road.
A flash mob of medical workers was also planned in Rome to read out the names of the 1,677 colleagues who died in Gaza. Trade unions called for a general strike in support of the flotilla, and more than 100 marches and rallies were announced across the country.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto criticized the protests, which have paralyzed transportation and damaged businesses:
“Does anyone really believe that blocking stations or shops in Italy will help the Palestinian people?” he wrote in X.
Other countries
Demonstrations also took place in Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Geneva, and outside Europe in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Karachi.
In Istanbul, a crowd gathered outside the Israeli embassy with signs reading “Israel is destroying humanity, not Gaza” and “Don’t be silent, don’t sit – stand up.”
Context of the war
According to Palestinian sources, more than 66,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the Israeli operation.
Israel launched the offensive after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Related: Aid Flotilla for Gaza Expected to Be Intercepted by Israeli Navy
