The nationwide protests, organized by the Solidarity Network against the Occupation of Palestine (RESCOP), demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to end the "genocide" in the besieged strip.

The largest demonstration was held in the capital Madrid, where over 50,000 people marched through the city center, carrying Palestinian flags and banners denouncing the Israeli offensive. Chants of "Boycott Israel!" and "Free Palestine!" echoed through the streets as protesters condemned the violence and urged the international community to take action.

The Madrid rally was mirrored in over 90 provinces and districts across Spain, with smaller but equally passionate demonstrations erupting in Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, and other cities. The sheer scale of the protests reflected the widespread public outrage against the Israeli attacks and the growing frustration with the lack of an international response.

Protesters directed their anger not only at Israel but also at the United States and the European Union, accusing them of being complicit in the ongoing bloodshed. Banners held aloft condemned the "murderer Netanyahu" and urged Spain to "sever all relations with Israel" and take concrete steps to pressure the aggressor to end the violence.

Speakers at the Madrid rally, including representatives from civil society organizations and left-wing political parties, urged the Spanish government to play a stronger role in ending the occupation of Palestine. They demanded that Spain adopt an official policy of boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel and work with other countries to hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions.

Despite the anger and frustration, the protests also served as a powerful call for peace. A minute of silence was observed in Madrid for all those who have lost their lives in the Gaza conflict, and demonstrators held banners pleading for an end to the violence and a just solution for the Palestinian people.

The nationwide protests in Spain demonstrate the growing international opposition to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the urgency for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Whether their demands will be heeded by the Spanish government and the international community remains to be seen, but the voices of hundreds of thousands of Spaniards calling for an end to the bloodshed cannot be ignored. (ILKHA)