Fresh worldwide rallies denounce Israel’s genocide in Gaza
Mass protests swept cities in many countries on Saturday and Friday as demonstrators denounced Israel’s genocide in Gaza, demanding an immediate end to the war which has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
In New Zealand, about 50,000 people joined the March for Humanity in Auckland, waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-war slogans such as “Don’t normalize genocide” and “Grow a spine, stand with Palestine.”
Protesters called for sanctions on Israel and an end to the blockade on the Gaza Strip, which has caused a famine that has killed 420 people, including 145 children.
Around 15,000 also gathered in the German city of Berlin under the banner “Stop the Genocide in Gaza.”
German actor Dieter Hallervorden, rapper Massiv aka Wasim Taha and Sahra Wagenknecht, co-founder and co-leader of the left-wing populist party Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) delivered speeches during the rally.
In Spain, anti-Israel protests turned Spanish Vuelta cycling race into a diplomatic battleground. With Palestinian flags in hand, the protesters censured Israel's military campaign in Gaza."The protests were born from the idea that our only chance to defend human rights regarding Israel is the Spanish Vuelta," Prieto, 48, said. "It is an international spotlight for us to say that we are against what Israel is doing."
Since the beginning of the regime’s genocidal war on Gaza, Spain has taken one of the strongest positions against Israel of any European nation. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez joined Ireland and Norway in recognizing a Palestinian state last year, and Spain became the first European country to ask a UN court for permission to join South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide.
Weekly protests continue to grow in Germany and the UK despite tighter government restrictions.In Morocco, demonstrations were held in 56 cities on Friday. Crowds in Rabat rallied outside parliament to demand accountability from Israeli leaders and express solidarity with Palestinians.