Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian activists gathered across Europe on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, holding rallies in cities including London, Rome, and Berlin.
Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism reported that 357 pro-Palestinian protest events were planned across 39 countries from the beginning of October through Wednesday. Saturday was anticipated to be the peak day for these demonstrations. The United States was projected to host the largest number, followed by Spain, Britain, and Australia.
In London, thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets, many clad in keffiyehs and waving Palestinian flags. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign claimed that over 250,000 people participated, although this figure has not been independently verified. The group stated on social media, “Today we’re marching for Palestine to mark three years of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people and demand our government go further to sanction Israel for its crimes.”
Local police enforced restrictions on the London march to reduce potential disruption. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin noted that the event could significantly impact local communities. He added that officers would require anyone concealing their identity with face coverings to remove them.
A counter-protest organized by Stop the Hate also took place in London, where about 30 individuals gathered outside the Metropolitan Police headquarters.
In Dublin, more than 10,000 people participated in a solidarity march, marking the 21st nationwide demonstration since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. The event received support from over 160 Irish civil society groups, according to RTÉ.
Demonstrations were reported in approximately 50 cities in Italy, including major rallies in Rome, Milan, Turin, and Naples. Several organizations coordinated these events under the theme “The End of the Genocide.” Notably, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg attended a demonstration in Naples, where protesters held signs with messages including “From the river to the sea.”
In Berlin, over 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside the Chancellery, chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine.” A smaller counter-demonstration occurred nearby, where participants held Israeli flags and called to “Free Berlin from Hamas.” Authorities had deployed around 1,400 police officers in anticipation of the protests.
In Zurich, approximately 1,000 individuals observed a minute of silence while protesting the Gaza war under a heavy police presence.
Further demonstrations are planned globally in the coming days to mark the anniversary of the conflict. Additional protests are scheduled across the United States and large gatherings are expected in Australia on Sunday. A series of events is also planned in Latin America in the near future.
The commemoration comes after the anniversary of October 7, 2023, when Hamas led an invasion into southern Israel, resulting in around 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken. Large-scale pro-Palestinian protests marked that day, continuing in various locations worldwide.
