Spain’s unions, NGOs call for nationwide strike in solidarity with Palestine

More than 200 trade unions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Spain have initiated a 24-hour general strike to protest Israel’s ongoing onslaught on Gaza and to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The strike, themed “Against the genocide and occupation in Palestine,” saw demonstrations across the country, including in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao.

Students in several universities also joined the protests, suspending classes in a show of support.

The demonstrators, led by groups such as the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza, which they described as "intolerable" and accused the Israeli government of committing genocide.

The protesters called on Spain’s government to sever all diplomatic, military, and commercial ties with Israel in response to its actions in Gaza.

They demanded that Spain cease arms exports to Israel and shift investments towards sectors like education, healthcare, and social services.

Carmen Arnaiz, a leading figure within CGT, emphasized the significance of the strike as a symbolic but powerful response to the plight of Palestinian workers.

“The biggest action we can take as trade unions is a general strike. The message we want to send is clear: end all relations with Israel,” Arnaiz said, further condemning Israel for what she called its “total violation of international law and human rights.”

Protesters gathered at strategic locations throughout the day, including factories producing military equipment and outside the Foreign Ministry in Madrid.

One key demand was to cut arms exports to Israel and halt the country’s participation in what they termed "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza.

The protests coincided with a growing wave of global outrage against Israel’s military offensive, which has, according to local health authorities in Gaza, resulted in more than 41,500 deaths, the majority of whom were women and children, along with over 96,000 injured since October 2023.

These figures come amid accusations of genocide that Israel faces at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The strike in Spain also highlighted recent controversies over restrictions on pro-Palestine demonstrations in various European nations. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK have banned public displays of support for Palestine, citing security concerns.

Arnaiz criticised these bans as “fascism,” noting a recent incident in Germany where a child was reportedly confronted for waving a Palestinian flag.

Spain’s protest movement mirrors a growing international outcry, including similar protests in the United States, where demonstrators have demanded an end to US military aid to Israel.

The conflict continues to escalate, with no signs of resolution as calls for ceasefires by the United Nations Security Council go unheeded.

Amid intensifying violence, particularly Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, fears of a broader regional conflict loom large.

Over 560 Lebanese civilians have been killed since the escalation, and international leaders continue to urge restraint. Despite these appeals, Israel maintains that its actions are in self-defense, aiming to neutralize groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

The situation remains critical as calls for diplomatic intervention and a peaceful resolution grow louder.