Palestinian solidarity rallies held across Europe as Gaza fighting reaches three years

Demonstrations and rallies in solidarity with Palestinians took place across Europe on October 10, according to reports carried by Sankei Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun. The gatherings coincided with the passage of three years since the start of fighting in Gaza. The reports named London, Paris and Berlin among the cities where people demonstrated or gathered. Participants protested against the Israeli military, which the reports said was continuing attacks on Gaza, and expressed solidarity with Palestinians. In Spain's capital, Madrid, several hundred people took part in a gathering. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

The Madrid event included readings of Palestinian poetry as well as performances of anti-war songs. Participants called for Palestinian liberation and urged an end to Israel's occupation of Palestine, according to the reports. A photograph carried by Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun showed people at the October 10 Madrid gathering holding a banner calling for attacks on medical facilities in Gaza to stop. The banner's demand accompanied the gathering's reported calls for liberation and the end of occupation. The outlets described the Madrid event as one of the demonstrations and rallies held in European cities on the same date. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

The reports also described Spain's position towards Israel and Palestine. They said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had condemned Israel's actions as genocide. Spain recognised Palestine as a state in 2024 and has implemented an arms embargo against Israel, according to the outlets. These policies were included in their accounts of the solidarity gathering in Madrid and the wider European demonstrations marking three years of fighting in Gaza. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]