200+ Unions and NGOs in Spain Observe Nationwide Strike, Demand Immediate Cut of Israeli Relations

Iara Modarelli
21st Century Wire

On Friday, more than 200 trade unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout major cities in Spain launched a 24-hour general strike to protest the ongoing genocide and occupation in Palestine, as well as Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon. Protestors urged Spain to sever all ties with Israel immediately, with demonstrations taking place in major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao.

The General Confederation of Labor (CGT), one of the main groups organizing the strike, condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and called them “intolerable”. Protestors are urging the Spanish government to immediately sever all diplomatic, military, and commercial ties with Israel to prevent its participation in what many describe as ethnic cleansing.

Among the protestors were university students, who suspended their classes in solidarity and gathered at key locations, including military equipment factories and the Foreign Ministry in Madrid. In Bilbao, protesters assembled outside the Teatro Arriaga. Carmen Arnaiz, a leading CGT organizer, highlighted the strike’s importance, stating that a general strike is the most effective action trade unions can take to support for Palestinian workers. She criticized Israel’s violation of international law and human rights and called for global demonstrations in support of Palestine.

Demonstrations were also planned at places like Jardinets de Gracia in Barcelona. Watch:

Arnaiz further urged Spain to halt arms exports to Israel and redirect investments into sectors like education, healthcare, and social services. She also condemned bans on pro-Palestine demonstrations in countries like Germany, France, and the UK, describing these restrictions as fascism, referencing a recent incident in Germany where a boy was detained at a rally for waving a Palestinian flag. Arnaiz stated: “Banning the right to protest and freedom of expression is a huge dilemma, especially for Europe, which claims to be a world leader in this regard.”

This strike and protests in Spain coincided with a broader global movement against Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, where more than 41,500 people – mostly women and children – have been killed and over 96,000 injured. The violence has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, causing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

The protests in Spain are part of a growing international outcry. Similar demonstrations are taking place in the United States, where protesters have called for an end to US military aid to Israel and denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Friday address to the U.N. General Assembly. The conflict continues to escalate, with Israeli airstrikes targeting southern and eastern cities in Lebanon and most recently, the capital. A wave of explosions on Friday devastated Beirut, killing hundreds of Lebanese people in a massive bombardment of a suburb of Beiruit last night, which resulted in the death of Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah. 

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, over 1640 people have been killed in the violence sofar, with growing fears of a wider regional conflict. Despite international calls for restraint and ceasefires from the UN Security Council, Israel maintains that its actions are in “self-defense”, aimed at neutralizing groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The situation remains critical as the violence intensifies and global calls for a peaceful resolution grow louder.

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