Across Europe, a powerful wave of protest is surging in response to the ongoing war in Gaza, with demonstrators from Rome to Berlin demanding an end to the violence and a shift in their governments’ policies. Over the past week, streets in major European capitals have filled with people waving Palestinian flags, holding banners that read "Stop the War" and "Free Palestine," and calling for immediate action to halt arms shipments to Israel and to support Palestinian rights.
On September 22, 2025, Italy witnessed a nationwide strike dubbed "Let's Block Everything," as reported by Al Jazeera. More than 70 municipalities took part, making it one of the most significant displays of solidarity with Gaza in Western Europe to date. The strike, organized by independent Italian unions, saw Italians from various backgrounds walk out of their workplaces and gather in city squares, united by a common message: an immediate end to what many are calling genocide in Gaza. The Italian government, which has historically supported Israel and refused to recognize a Palestinian state, found itself at odds with the sentiment sweeping through its own population.
For Palestinians in Gaza, these scenes of solidarity provided a rare glimmer of hope amid relentless hardship. One resident, whose home had been bombed for the third time and who had been forced to flee for the tenth, described the joy of seeing footage from Italy flood their phone. "They were trying to send us a message: We hear you, we stand with you," the resident recounted in Al Jazeera. The images of Italian crowds chanting for Palestinian freedom were shared widely on chat apps in Gaza, bringing smiles to faces weary from months of conflict and loss.
The Italian response extended beyond the streets. The Sumud Flotilla, a delegation of 50 Italian citizens, set sail for Gaza despite immense pressure from their government to abandon the mission. Most refused to turn back, determined to deliver aid and bear witness to the crisis firsthand. Italian journalists onboard the flotilla sent messages of encouragement to Palestinians, reinforcing the sense that international solidarity was more than just words—it was action.
In Germany, the momentum was just as palpable. On September 27, Berlin hosted what organizers and police alike called the country’s largest protest against the Gaza war so far. According to Deutsche Welle, between 60,000 and 100,000 people marched through central Berlin, far surpassing previous rallies. The demonstration, co-organized by Amnesty International and Medico International, was described as "absolutely peaceful" by police spokeswoman Anja Dierschke, despite 34 brief detentions, mostly for property damage before the event.
Protesters in Berlin echoed many of the demands heard in Italy: an immediate halt to German arms exports to Israel, unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and the imposition of EU sanctions on Israel. Katja Müller-Fahlbusch of Amnesty International spoke at the closing rally, declaring, "The federal government must no longer be complicit." Demonstrators also invoked the findings of a recent United Nations inquiry, which concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—a charge the Israeli government firmly rejects, maintaining that its actions are in self-defense and compliant with international law.
The Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, with a large-scale attack by Hamas and other militant groups on southern Israel, has left deep scars on both sides. The initial assault resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 abductions, according to Deutsche Welle. Since then, Gaza health authorities report that more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed, a figure that does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. UN agencies warn that famine is rampant among Gaza’s residents, compounding the humanitarian catastrophe.
The European protests are unfolding against a backdrop of diplomatic maneuvering at the highest levels. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last week, declared, "There is no military solution to this that works, there is no way that the security of Israel is remotely strengthened by this further Gaza City offensive," as reported by The Guardian. Cooper reaffirmed Britain’s recognition of the state of Palestine and called for an urgent change of course by the Israeli government to address the "devastating humanitarian crisis." She added, "For security for Israelis, as well as security for Palestinians and as well as dealing with this devastating humanitarian crisis, I think the Israeli government urgently needs to change course."
Cooper also highlighted what she described as a "huge consensus building" internationally for peace. The White House, under President Donald Trump, is reportedly backing a 21-point plan for Gaza that includes a temporary technocratic administration—possibly led by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair—excludes Hamas from future governance, and prohibits Israel from annexing the West Bank. While Cooper declined to comment on Blair’s suitability to lead such an authority, she emphasized the urgency of translating the current momentum into a concrete peace process. "Everybody can see the horror of what has happened and the fact that it feels like nothing’s being done. It feels like nothing is changing. It feels like everything is just getting worse," she said, underlining the widespread frustration and desire for change.
Yet, not all voices are aligned. From the UN podium, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "finish the job," reiterating his government’s commitment to the ongoing offensive in Gaza City, which has been underway since August. The Israeli stance remains that its military campaign is a matter of self-defense, a position that has found less and less resonance among the European public, judging by the scale and passion of recent protests.
The growing rift between European governments and their citizens is particularly evident in the calls for policy change. In Germany, demonstrators are demanding an end to arms exports and a reevaluation of Berlin’s support for Israel’s military actions. In Italy, the public’s outpouring of solidarity stands in stark contrast to the government’s continued support for Israel and reluctance to recognize Palestinian statehood. Meanwhile, British diplomats are pushing for a peace plan that would fundamentally reshape the governance of Gaza and exclude both Hamas and the possibility of further Israeli annexation.
Personal connections have also played a role in fostering solidarity. As recounted in Al Jazeera, Italians like Pietro, Sara, and Fadi reached out to Palestinians in Gaza, offering not just words but tangible support—helping to share stories, check on families, and provide encouragement. Such gestures, alongside the mass mobilizations, have helped Palestinians feel less isolated, even as they endure the devastation of war.
This convergence of grassroots activism and diplomatic pressure signals a turning point in Europe’s engagement with the Gaza crisis. Whether these protests will translate into substantive policy shifts remains to be seen, but for now, they have succeeded in amplifying Palestinian voices and placing the issue squarely in the public eye. As the conflict grinds on with no clear end in sight, the solidarity shown by ordinary Europeans offers a measure of hope—and a reminder that, even in the darkest times, people across borders can unite for justice and peace.