Protests Held in barcelona and Rome Against Israel‘s Actions in Gaza

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Tens of thousands of people marched in Barcelona on Saturday, and large crowds gathered in Rome for a second day of protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Protests in Spain’s second-largest city and in Madrid were planned weeks ago.Demonstrations in Rome,and later Lisbon,followed widespread anger after Israel stopped a humanitarian aid flotilla that had sailed from barcelona to try to break the blockade of the palestinian territory.

More than 40 Spaniards, including a former Barcelona mayor, were among the 450 activists Israel removed from the flotilla’s boats this week.

Italy already saw more than 2 million people rally on Friday across the country in a one-day general strike to support Palestinians in Gaza.

Spain has seen growing support for Palestinians in recent weeks. Its left-wing goverment is also increasing diplomatic efforts against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.Protests against an Israeli-owned cycling team repeatedly disrupted the Spanish Vuelta last month. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the destruction in Gaza a “genocide” and asked for a ban of all Israeli teams from international sporting events.

The calls for protests in Southern Europe come as Hamas said it has accepted some parts of a plan to end the two-year war. The war has left Gaza’s largest city facing famine and has led to accusations of genocide against Israel.

Big Rally in Barcelona

barcelona’s town hall said police estimated 70,000 people attended Saturday’s exhibition.

People filled Barcelona’s wide Passeig de Gracia, the city’s main central boulevard. Many families and people of all ages came out, carrying Palestinian flags and banners.