Hundreds of Thousands March Across Europe in Support of Palestinians, Demand Gaza Aid
Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across numerous European cities yesterday, expressing solidarity with Palestinians and calling for increased aid to Gaza, marking the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel.
Istanbul hosted the largest demonstration in Turkey, with crowds walking from Hagia Sophia to the Golden Horn, displaying Turkish and Palestinian flags. Similar protests occurred in Ankara, where demonstrators condemned the situation in Gaza as “genocide,” with Palestine Support Platform representative Recep Karabal stating, “This oppression, which began in 1948, has been continuing for two years, turning into genocide.” Support for Palestinians is strong in Turkey, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions.
In Amsterdam, an estimated 250,000 people, many dressed in red, protested the Dutch government’s stance on Israel, urging tougher action. Protester Marieke van Zijl expressed frustration with the government’s perceived weakness, saying, “The bloodshed must stop… That’s why we are here, in the hope that it helps.” Amnesty International spokesperson Marjon Rozema called for utilizing “all economic and diplomatic means to increase pressure on Israel,” as international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza intensifies. The Dutch government recently indicated it may withhold export licenses for parts used in F-35 fighter jets, signaling a potential shift in policy. For more information on the conflict, see the United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine.
Demonstrations also took place in Britain, Bulgaria, Morocco, Spain, and France, with participants mourning victims of recent attacks and demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas. In Morocco, protesters called for a reversal of the kingdom’s normalization of relations with Israel, while in Bulgaria, demonstrators honored activists involved in aid efforts. These widespread protests reflect growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The situation has prompted discussions about potential war crimes and the need for accountability, as detailed by Human Rights Watch.
Hamas has indicated acceptance of some elements of a proposed plan to end the war, though details remain unclear, and officials say negotiations are ongoing.
