ISTANBUL (AP) – On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of individuals participated in numerous marches across European cities to express solidarity with Palestinians and support anaid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza.
The most significant protests occurred in Istanbul, Turkey, where demonstrators marched from the iconic Hagia Sophia to the banks of the Golden Horn. Participants were welcomed by a flotilla of boats adorned with Turkish and Palestinian flags. The march followed midday prayers at the former Byzantine cathedral, now a mosque, and emphasized the call for Muslim unity in support of the Palestinian cause.
The demonstrations were part of a series of events marking the second anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which instigated ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli strikes. In Ankara, protestors held placards denouncing what they termed a "genocide" in Gaza, with statements highlighting the historical context of oppression since 1948, as voiced by Recep Karabal of the Palestine Support Platform in the northern city of Kirikkale.
Support for Palestinians is prominent within Muslim-majority Turkey, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emerging as a vocal critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza. He has broadly condemned the ongoing violence as unacceptable.
"The bloodshed must stop"
In the Netherlands, approximately 250,000 people - most dressed in red - gathered in Amsterdam, urging the government to adopt stricter measures against Israel. This protest arrived just weeks ahead of national elections, following two previous "Red Line" demonstrations in The Hague that also attracted large crowds. Protesters marched through the city center, displaying Palestinian flags alongside peace symbols. One notable placard stated, "Ashamed of the government."
Historically, the Dutch government has been a strong supporter of Israel, but recent developments have spurred increased criticism. On Friday, Foreign Minister David van Weel mentioned the unlikelihood of granting an export license for parts to be sent to Israel for F-35 fighter jets. Protester Marieke van Zijl underscored the sentiment, stating, "The bloodshed must stop. And that we unfortunately have to stand here because we have such an incredibly weak government that doesn’t dare to draw a red line." Additionally, Marjon Rozema from Amnesty International echoed calls for all legal and diplomatic avenues to be utilized to increase pressure on Israel.
Mourning the victims of the synagogue attack
In the UK, hundreds gathered to commemorate the victims of Hamas's 2023 attack and remember those killed in a recent synagogue attack in Manchester. Demonstrators convened outside Manchester Cathedral, holding Israeli and UK flags while advocating for the release of hostages taken by Hamas. A significant banner honored two men who perished during the Yom Kippur attack, asserting their bravery would not be forgotten.
Paris also witnessed a demonstration where hundreds rallied for the hostages with many draped in Israeli flags, chanting "Free the hostages," with about twenty believed to still be alive. In Bulgaria, protesters marched in Sofia with signs reading "Gaza: Starvation is a Weapon of War" and "Gaza is the Biggest Graveyard of Children," emphasizing their support for the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Bulgarian activist Vasil Dimitrov.
In Morocco, demonstrators took to the streets of Rabat in solidarity with Palestinians, wearing traditional Arab keffiyehs, while also demanding the release of flotilla activists imprisoned in Israel, among them human rights defender Aziz Ghali.
A weekend of rallies across Europe
Following mass demonstrations in Spain on Saturday, thousands participated in smaller rallies across various cities on Sunday, calling for an end to genocide and re-evaluating trade relations with Israel. Notable gatherings occurred in Santiago and Gijon, where marchers carried white bundles symbolizing the deceased children from Gaza. These demonstrations took place after previous significant protests in Rome, Barcelona, and Madrid, illustrating increasing international discontent regarding Israel's prolonged military actions in Gaza, fueling calls for justice and accountability.
As the protests unfolded, Hamas expressed its acceptance of certain elements from a peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, further complicating the already tense situation surrounding Gaza, which continues to face severe humanitarian challenges.
