Protests erupt across Europe against Israeli attack on Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Europe on Thursday to protest Israel's assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was sailing toward Gaza with humanitarian aid when it was attacked and seized by Israeli forces. The flotilla, which organizers described as the largest coordinated effort to deliver aid by sea, was attacked on October 1 as it approached Gaza's waters. The Israeli navy forcibly commandeered dozens of boats and detained hundreds of passengers, including citizens from several European countries. In France, people gathered in Paris' historic Place de la Republique to denounce the assault. Carrying Palestinian flags, the crowd chanted slogans such as 'Israel out, Palestine is not yours' and 'Long live Palestine.' Protesters demanded the release of flotilla activists, among them French nationals, who remain in Israeli custody. In Belgium, hundreds of people rallied in Brussels in front of the Foreign Ministry in a protest organized by several civil society groups. Demonstrators marched under the theme 'All eyes on Gaza,' waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs as a symbol of solidarity. The protest moved from the Foreign Ministry to Luxembourg Square in front of the European Parliament, where crowds chanted 'Free Palestine,' 'Solidarity with Palestine,' and 'Freedom for Gaza.' Protesters urged Belgian and EU institutions to step up support for the flotilla and for the Palestinian people. In Spain, solidarity rallies took place in 24 major cities, led by civil society groups and left-wing political parties. Chants of 'Boycott Israel,' 'Stop the genocide,' and 'Free Palestine' echoed through the capital, while some protesters attempted to block main roads, leading to brief clashes with police. Similar protests were reported in Valencia, Pamplona, Toledo, Seville, and Bilbao, with weekend marches expected to draw even larger crowds. Anger also spilled into local politics. In Madrid's regional parliament, the left-wing Mas Madrid party displayed a Palestinian flag inside the chamber, sparking disputes with members of the ruling conservative Popular Party. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares launched what local media called 'telephone diplomacy,' speaking with his counterparts in Türkiye, Belgium, Ireland, Brazil, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to push for a joint stance on defending flotilla members. In Switzerland, thousands demonstrated in Geneva's Lisa Girardin Square, chanting slogans in French, Arabic, and English. Protesters demanded an end to Israel's blockade and called for unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In the UK, hundreds gathered in London's Parliament Square before marching toward Whitehall, home to government offices. Demonstrators waving Palestinian flags shouted, 'Free Palestine' and 'Don't bomb Gaza.' In Greece, thousands marched in Athens toward the Israeli Embassy, chanting 'End the genocide in Gaza' and 'Break the blockade, free Palestine.' Israeli naval forces attacked the flotilla as it approached Gaza's coast late Wednesday and detained at least 443 activists on board, organizers said. Of the four vessels still remaining, two support ships turned back, while the vessel Marinet continued sailing toward Gaza but was still far away after a late arrival due to technical malfunctions, it added. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million, for nearly 18 years, and further tightened the siege in March when it closed border crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, pushing the enclave into famine. Since October 2023, Israeli bombardment has killed more than 66,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The UN and rights groups have repeatedly warned that the enclave is being rendered uninhabitable, with starvation and disease spreading rapidly.