ISTANBUL / AMSTERDAM / MADRID: Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Europe and Turkiye on Sunday in demonstrations over the war in Gaza, with protesters expressing solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an end to the violence.
The largest gathering was in Istanbul, where massive crowds filled the streets waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against what they described as the “genocide” in Gaza. Similar scenes were reported in Ankara, where demonstrators carried placards condemning Israeli military actions and urging international intervention.
In the Netherlands, an estimated 250,000 people — many dressed in red — rallied in Amsterdam, demanding that their government take a tougher stance against Israel and halt military cooperation.
Elsewhere, Britain saw hundreds gather in separate vigils — both to mark Hamas’s 2023 attack and to mourn victims of the recent synagogue assault in Manchester.
In Paris, demonstrators expressed solidarity with the hostages still held by Hamas, marching through the city draped in Israeli flags and chanting “Free the hostages!” Authorities estimate around 20 of the hostages are believed to be alive.
Across Spain, a day after larger nationwide rallies, thousands joined smaller marches in several cities on Sunday, calling for an “end to genocide” and urging the government to suspend trade ties with Israel.
The weekend of protests reflected the deepening divisions and emotional responses in Europe and beyond as the Gaza conflict continues to claim civilian lives.
