EPAL: 45,000 demonstrations in Europe in support of Gaza over two years

GAZA, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)The European Palestinian Media Center (EPAL) has documented more than 45,000 demonstrations and events across approximately 800 cities in 25 European countries over two years of genocide carried out by the Israeli occupation army in the Gaza Strip.

EPAL’s director, Raed Salahat, said in press remarks that Europe has witnessed a flood of public mobilization over the past two years, initially sparked by the Israeli aggression’s events. However, this movement quickly evolved into a force that influenced European politics, especially after the genocide committed by the Israeli occupation army and the complicity of European leaders with the Israeli government.

Salahat added that the demonstrations and events in Europe began as spontaneous public gatherings but have recently taken on a more institutional character, particularly with the involvement of various political parties and labor unions across Europe in support of Palestinians facing starvation, displacement, and extermination, according to Al Jazeera Net.

These events were held in solidarity with Gaza, which has been under a tight Israeli siege since October 7, 2023, followed by a ground invasion of the Strip. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, this has resulted in over 67,000 deaths, around 170,000 injuries, and more than 10,000 missing persons, lost in streets, rubble, or under collapsed homes due to Israeli bombardment.

European public participation

The European public represents the largest share of participants in these events, followed by Arab and Muslim communities residing in Europe. According to Salahat, this widespread participation significantly influenced European politicians, culminating in several European governments recognizing the State of Palestine.

Over 24 months, EPAL’s Monitoring and Documentation Department recorded the scale of demonstrations and events in all their forms across 25 European countries. Italy ranked first with 7,643 demonstrations and events in 186 cities. Germany followed with around 7,000 events across 141 cities, and Spain came third with 5,886 events in 134 cities, all during the two years of Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Salahat noted that EPAL includes a team of 15 correspondents and event monitors across Europe. This team documents all activities hosted by European countries through meticulous tracking of media coverage and interviews with organizers.

The European Palestinian Media Center (EPAL) is an institution focused on Palestinian affairs in Europe. It was established by Palestinian journalists and media professionals in European countries and aims to present the Palestinian cause to European public opinion in all its humanitarian, cultural, and legal dimensions through media production and live broadcasting of Palestinian events in Europe.