Thousands of people took to the streets of major cities across the globe on Thursday after Israel intercepted the Gaza aid flotilla, which aimed to break the long-standing Israeli blockade and was carrying humanitarian relief to the Strip.
The flotilla consisted of over 40 ships and about 500 activists, marking the largest attempt of its kind. On Thursday, hundreds of Israeli police officers were deployed to the southern port of Ashdod to process activists detained by the Israeli navy.
Activists on board included climate activist Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela, and former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and European lawmakers, among others.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the activists were “safe and in good health,” and dismissed their mission as “provocation,” adding that various countries — including Italy via the Vatican — had offered to deliver the aid the boats were carrying.
Israel had warned the flotilla that it was approaching an active combat zone and requested the convoy to change course. However, the flotilla remained on its way, as it emphasised that its mission was peaceful in nature.
All activists apprehended on intercepted boats will be deported, Israel said.
France: Protests merge with anti-government strikes
In Paris, a nationwide strike against the government and budget cuts called by trade unions turned into a protest for Gaza. Over a thousand protesters gathered in Republic Square in Paris to denounce Israel’s offensive in Gaza, its interception of the flotilla and the arrest of the detained activists.
Demonstrators were heard chanting, “Free the flotilla, free Palestine!”
The event was organised by France’s leftist France Unbowed party (LFI). Four lawmakers of the party were part of the flotilla and are currently held by Israeli forces.
In Marseille, around a hundred pro-Palestine demonstrators were arrested on Thursday afternoon as they attempted to block access to the site of arms company Eurolinks, which they accused of supplying military components to Israel.
Italy: Crowds gather in major cities
Large demonstrations took place throughout Italy and in major cities including Rome, Milan and Naples.
In Milan, 20,000 people marched through the city centre, and in Rome, local authorities reported 10,000 people attended a rally that started from the Colosseum and reached Porta San Paolo.
In Bologna, clashes broke out as riot police used tear gas against demonstrators. Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside of the city’s central train station, where witnesses say police charged at crowds after what started as a peaceful march.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said 22 Italian citizens who were part of the flotilla are currently detained by Israel.
Italy’s largest union CGIL called for a one-day general strike on Friday.
Spain: Minor scuffles with police erupt
Protesters gathered in Bilbao and Madrid, outside Spain’s foreign ministry, in support of the flotilla and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
In Barcelona, demonstrators blocked several major roads and clashed with riot police.
Portugal: Calls for activists’ release
Demonstrations were called for in nine cities, including Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, by the Palestine solidarity movement.
In Lisbon, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Israeli embassy, holding signs that read “Freedom for the flotilla,” “Sanctions against Israel,” and “End the siege on Palestine.”
Among the detained are four Portuguese activists. The demonstrators called on their government to demand their release.
Switzerland and elsewhere
Several protests took place in Switzerland, with the main demonstration in Geneva, where over 3,000 people gathered.
Protesters, who condemned Switzerland’s “complicity,” set fire to tyres and briefly blocked railway tracks at the Cornavin train station, prompting police to use tear gas.
The march moved toward the city centre but was stopped at the end of the Mont-Blanc bridge by riot police.
More than a thousand people gathered in Athens, marching towards the Israeli embassy, some throwing flares and fireworks in the direction of the building.
Petros Constantinou from the Movement United Against Racism and the Fascist Threat (KEERFA) in Greece said the protesters were demonstrating “against the act of piracy of Israel’s army against the Flotilla”.
Similar protests also took place in other European cities such as Geneva, Helsinki, The Hague, Brussels, Nicosia and Istanbul, as well as New York, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Karachi, Buenos Aires and Mexico City.