Eight detained, 20 police injured in pro-Palestine protest in Spain

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 15:44
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Thousands marched in Spain’s pro-Palestine protest in Barcelona, amid outrage over "Israel’s" interception of the Global Sumud aid flotilla.

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Police officers clash with protesters during a pro-Palestinian rally in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla after ships were intercepted by the Israeli navy, in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, October 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

At least eight people were arrested and 20 police officers were injured in clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and police in Barcelona, Spanish authorities said on Sunday, October 5.

The unrest came during a Palestine protest that drew around 70,000 participants, according to police estimates. Demonstrators marched in solidarity with Gaza, demanding an end to "Israel’s" blockade and condemning its latest interception of the Global Sumud aid flotilla.

Police reported that a small number of demonstrators vandalized several shops they claimed were linked to "Israel." While the majority of the march was peaceful, tensions escalated toward the end, resulting in confrontations that left officers injured and led to multiple arrests.

Protests were also held in Madrid and in dozens of other Spanish cities, with simultaneous demonstrations taking place in Rome and Lisbon. The rallies followed mounting anger across Europe after "Israel’s" interception of the aid flotilla that had departed from Barcelona, attempting to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory.

Spanish citizens among those detained by 'Israel'

Out of the 49 Spaniards detained by Israeli forces aboard the Global Sumud, 21 were expected to fly back to Spain from Tel Aviv on Sunday, according to Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, who spoke to public broadcaster RTVE.

Spain, which formally recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024, has remained one of the most vocal European critics of "Israel’s" actions in Gaza.

The Spanish government last month banned ships and aircraft transporting weapons or military-grade jet fuel to "Israel", reinforcing its commitment to support Palestine and humanitarian initiatives in the region.

The recent protests reflect the growing public pressure on Madrid to take a firmer diplomatic stance in defense of Palestinian rights and to maintain solidarity with Gaza amid ongoing aggression.