More than 25,000 people gathered in Madrid, echoing the sentiments of demonstrators in 100 Spanish cities demanding decisive action against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Massive protests took place on Saturday, January 20, with widespread calls for Spain to end arms trade with Israel and sever diplomatic ties.
voice of palestine
The rally in Madrid, under the banner “Stop the genocide in Palestine!”, was the culmination of the efforts of the Solidarity Network Against the Occupation of Palestine (RESCOP).
Demonstrators passionately called for an end to arms sales and a severance of ties with Israel. These demonstrations coincide with reports that Israel has been relentlessly bombing the Gaza Strip since October 7, amid a blockade that has lasted more than 16 years.
The devastating effects of these attacks were severe, with a reported 30,000 deaths, including more than 10,000 children.
Political leaders also participated in the conference call
Notably, the Madrid march was attended by prominent politicians. Podemos general secretary Ione Berala criticized the Spanish government’s approach to conflict zones, particularly its involvement in a potential war against Yemen.
“Never before has there been such a deep gulf between what our people want and what our government is doing,” Berala said. He went on to accuse Spain of waging war with Yemen to “side with the genocidal state of Israel.”
Manuela Bergelot of Más Madrid, Tes Sidi of Smar, and Enrique Santiago, deputy to Spain’s General Cortés, were among the key attendees.
A unified call for justice
Smar’s representative, IU parliamentary spokesperson Enrique Santiago, echoed Podemos’ opinion and called on the Spanish government to support South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
He warned against mistakes that could worsen conflicts in the Middle East, such as participating in military operations in the Red Sea.
These statements reflect growing calls for concrete action beyond mere rhetoric in international relations, particularly regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
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