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Thousands Protest Across Spain Against Gaza War and Iran Conflict
Thousands of people joined anti-war protests across Spain on Saturday, demanding an end to the escalating Middle East conflict involving Gaza and Iran and reviving the historic slogan “No a la guerra” — “No to war.”
Large peace demonstrations in Spain took place in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia, where protesters warned that growing tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States could destabilize the region and threaten global peace.
Many demonstrators carried white banners reading “peace” while chanting “No to war”, a slogan deeply rooted in Spain’s history of anti-war activism.
Madrid Hosts the Largest Anti-War Protest
The largest anti-war protest in Spain took place in Madrid’s Plaza Juan Goytisolo, near the Reina Sofía Museum.
According to government officials, around 4,500 people attended, while organizers estimated more than 5,000 participants.
The rally was organized by the civic platform No a la Guerra (“No to War”), which called for an immediate end to military escalation in the Middle East.
Throughout the demonstration, protesters repeatedly chanted:
- “Every people, every square, we are all Gaza.”
- “Free Palestine.”
- “No to war.”
Organizers sharply criticized recent military attacks involving Iran, warning that continued escalation could endanger both regional stability and global security.
In a manifesto read during the rally, activists stressed that no geopolitical conflict can justify civilian casualties.
“Using war as a tool of international politics threatens both regional and global peace,” the statement said.
Miles de personas salen a manifestarse por toda España para pedir el "No a la guerra" en Irán https://t.co/M0USP7yzHX
— Miguel Fernández (@MiguelFern57572) March 14, 2026
Anti-War Protests Spread Across Spain
Similar anti-war demonstrations in Spain took place simultaneously in several cities despite difficult weather conditions.
Barcelona protest continues despite heavy rain
In Barcelona, dozens of protesters gathered outside the city’s cathedral despite torrential rain.
Participants stood behind a banner reading:
“The war in the Middle East must stop. Do not forget Gaza. No to genocide.”
Among the speakers was Nuria Suárez, spokesperson for the activist platform Atura la Guerra (“Stop the War”).
She strongly criticized the military escalation involving Iran.
“The United States and Israel have broken international law and turned the Middle East into a ticking bomb,” Suárez said.
“Now the Iranian people suffer not only under the ayatollahs but also from war. Without peace there is nothing.”
Several well-known public figures attended the Barcelona protest, including actress Vicky Peña and Pepe Álvarez, general secretary of Spain’s major labor union UGT.
Bilbao and Valencia join nationwide protests
In Bilbao, protesters gathered along Paseo del Arenal, where the rally was organized by the pacifist platform Parar la Guerra (“Stop the War”).
Spokesperson Florencio Moreno urged citizens to continue speaking out against war.
“We must raise our voices,” Moreno said.
“The ceasefire in Gaza was achieved thanks to international pressure because the world stood against the violence.”
In Valencia, a smaller protest coincided with the city’s famous Fallas festival, where demonstrators also called for peace in Gaza and the Middle East.
Younger Generations Largely Absent
Despite the large turnout in Madrid, few young people attended the protest, something several demonstrators found concerning.
One of the younger participants was Olga de los Ríos, a first-year psychology student who attended the rally with her mother.
“It’s important to come and do our part so the war doesn’t spread,” she said.
De los Ríos noted that the conflict is rarely discussed at her university and believes misinformation on social media has contributed to confusion among younger generations.
“There is a lot of ignorance among young people,” she said.
“It makes me sad because people should be more aware.”
Her mother, Lidia Fernández, said she felt compelled to attend because of what she sees as serious human rights violations in Gaza.
“What is happening in the world, especially in Palestine, is an abuse,” she said.
Spain’s Political Tensions Over the Conflict
The protests come amid growing diplomatic tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
Earlier this week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain would not allow the United States to use the military bases of Rota and Morón for offensive operations related to the conflict.
The decision reportedly caused friction with U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned of potential trade retaliation.
During a press conference explaining the decision, Sánchez summarized the Spanish government’s position with a familiar slogan:
“No a la guerra.”
Echoes of Spain’s Historic Anti-War Movement
The phrase carries deep historical significance in Spain.
In 2003, millions of Spaniards took to the streets under the same slogan to protest the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
For many demonstrators, the current protests revive that powerful anti-war movement, reminding citizens of the role public pressure can play in shaping global politics.
Iranian Human Rights Activists Speak Out
One of the most applauded speeches at the Madrid anti-war rally came from Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for the Iranian Association for Human Rights in Spain.
“Damn wars, and damn those who invent them,” he said to loud applause.
Hosseini warned that the conflict involving Iran has already caused thousands of deaths and widespread destruction across the region.
“The monster of war leaves nothing but scorched earth wherever it steps,” he said.
He also criticized the Iranian government’s human rights record, stressing that the future of Iran must be determined by its own people.
“The suffering of the Iranian people cannot be used to justify foreign military intervention,” he said.
Cultural Figures and Political Leaders Join the Rally
The protests also attracted prominent figures from Spain’s cultural and political life.
Among those attending were:
- filmmaker Javier Fesser
- theater director Lluis Pasqual
- actor Ángel Ruiz
- human rights lawyer Paca Sauquillo
Political figures present included Lara Hernández of the left-wing movement Sumar, as well as veteran Socialist politicians Josep Borrell and Cristina Narbona.
Organizers emphasized that culture has historically played a key role in peace movements.
As the demonstration concluded, protesters once again raised their voices together, repeating the phrase that has echoed through Spain’s streets for decades:
“No a la guerra.”
Information Source:
https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/
https://www.elmundo.es/espana/
Photo Attribution:
2024-02-17-Manifestacion propalestina-01, by Nemo, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://w.wiki/JjQR
