Thousands of people, including six Spanish government ministers, marched through the streets of Madrid on Saturday to demand an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Under bright sunshine, crowds marched through the Spanish capital from Atocha station to Plaza del Sol square in the city center, behind a large banner reading
“Freedom for Palestine”
.
Many waved Palestinian flags or carried signs reading
"Peace for Palestine"
and
"Don't ignore the suffering of Palestinians
. "
Six ministers from the government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were present: five members of the far-left Sumar party, its coalition partners, as well as Transport Minister Oscar Puente, of the Socialist Party.
“We need an immediate ceasefire, an end to the killing and attacks against innocent people, we must achieve the release of all the hostages,”
the latter told journalists at the start of the march .
Around 3,000 people took part in total, according to the central government delegation in Madrid.
A number much lower than that - some 20,000 - of the previous demonstration in the Spanish capital on January 27.
Some chanted:
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”
, a slogan that their detractors interpret as a call for the elimination of Israel.
“It’s not a war, it’s a genocide!”
, some also shouted.
Spain is, along with Ireland and Belgium, one of the most critical European countries regarding the way in which Israel currently carries out its military operations in the Gaza Strip.