Tens of thousands across Spain join general strike for Palestine as Israel basketball games disrupted

Tens of thousands of people across Spain took to the streets on Wednesday, as part of a nationwide general strike in solidarity with Palestine and in protest against Israel's war on Gaza.

The strike, backed by trade unions and pro-Palestine groups, saw major demonstrations in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Valencia, and Bilbao.

In Valencia, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Roig Arena, where Valencia Basket was playing the Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv behind closed doors for security reasons.

Protesters chanted "Where are the sanctions on Israel?" and "Gaza is bleeding, Europe is watching!" as police clashed with crowds trying to block traffic. Officers used tear gas, leading to five arrests and four injuries, including three police officers.

In Barcelona, the night ended in violent confrontations between demonstrators and Catalan riot police near the Israeli consulate. Local authorities said around 15,000 people joined the protest, part of the wider strike movement called by trade unions and pro-Palestine groups.

Police later confirmed 15 arrests, including 11 minors, while three roads and 25 bus lines were temporarily cut off. The demonstration concluded near the Israeli consulate, where fireworks were thrown at the building.

Tensions rose as several protesters broke through a police cordon in an attempt to block traffic. Police responded with tear gas, leading to five arrests and four injuries, including three officers.

In Bilbao, around 15,000 protesters joined morning and afternoon marches, banging pots and pans while calling for a Free Palestine. A large sit-in at the centre of the city roundabout blocked traffic for hours.

Marches in Madrid, Seville, and Palma also drew thousands, with chants demanding "peace and an end to occupation".

Organisers said the day of strike and mobilisations showed "massive popular rejection" of Israel’s war in Gaza and of European governments’ complicity.

It comes after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that peace in Gaza "must not come at the expense of justice", stressing that those responsible for atrocities “must answer before the law".

The Spanish leader said Spain and the European Union will play key roles in Gaza’s reconstruction and in advancing a two-state solution grounded in international law. He described the current ceasefire as "a window of opportunity for frank dialogue between Israel and Palestine".

Spain has been among the most outspoken European critics of Israel’s war on Gaza. In May, it became one of the first EU countries, alongside Ireland and Norway, to formally recognise the State of Palestine.

The Spanish government has also suspended military exports to Israel since October 2023, and has called for international investigations into war crimes and genocide.