Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in major European cities on Saturday, November 29, 2025, to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The protests occurred amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 70,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
In Rome, attendees included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, Brazilian social justice advocate Thiago Ávila, members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, and former workers from the defunct GNK plant. Simultaneously, marches and rallies unfolded in Paris, London, Geneva, and Lisbon.
The events come as a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire, in place since October 10, remains in effect, though both Israeli and Palestinian sides have accused each other of violations. In a statement issued on Saturday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The killing of so many civilians, the repeated displacement of an entire population and the obstruction of humanitarian aid should never be acceptable.” He added, “The October ceasefire agreement offers glimmers of hope. And the adoption of the resolution on Gaza by the Security Council is an important step in its consolidation.”
In Paris, protest organizers estimated the crowd at 50,000, while police reported 8,400 participants. Marchers walked from Place de la République to Place de la Nation chanting, “Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you,” and carrying signs reading “Palestine: we will not be silenced” and “Gaza: silence, people are being killed. Stop the genocide.”
Anne Tuaillon, president of the France Palestine Solidarity Association (AFPS), stated that the ceasefire has so far failed to ease the crisis. “The ceasefire is a smokescreen. Israel violates it every day, blocks humanitarian aid and continues to destroy homes and infrastructure in Gaza. We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the genocide,” she told AFP.
She also called for stronger international measures to enforce compliance with humanitarian laws. “We need sanctions. It’s the only way to make Israel respect international law,” Tuaillon said, criticizing an “unprecedented acceleration” in settlement expansion and mounting settler violence in the West Bank.
Individual demonstrators also expressed their frustration and sense of helplessness. “All of humanity is watching and can do nothing. It’s total impunity,” Saleha, a 72-year-old protester, said. “It’s shocking to see this and be unable to act. The only thing we can do is mobilise.”
Bertrand, a 42-year-old IT worker, referenced recent incidents in the West Bank: “The massacre continues,” he said, citing video footage of two men shot in Jenin during an Israeli operation. The United Nations has called for an investigation into what it called an “apparent summary execution.”
Paris police reported that three people were arrested during the demonstration. No further details were provided.
