Parents in Spain Protest Israel’s Actions in Gaza

In the Spanish city of Granada, a group of parents have been gathering at the gates of a primary school to remember the child victims of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The protest, which has been ongoing for several weeks, features a simple yet powerful display of two long banners with the messages “No more dead children” and “Against Genocide”.

The parents, who are clearly school parents caring about children dying, give their show of support extra resonance due to the school’s location on a busy arterial street near central Granada, allowing their message to reach a wide audience.

According to Mar Domech, who helped start the protest, the idea came about after a fictional video about Gaza’s destruction was shared among parents. “I began saying – instead of re-sending the video, let’s actually do something,” Domech said.

The protest format is straightforward, with a single line of demonstrators holding up the banners next to a tall school wall, ensuring they keep out of the way of passersby. There is no shouting or chanting, but the parents’ determination to continue is evident.

The parents’ conviction that their protest matters is rooted in the devastating impact of Israel’s actions on Gaza’s children. After almost two years of Israeli attacks, Gaza is home to the highest number of child amputees per capita, with over 17,000 children killed and more than 930,000 children at risk of famine, according to Save the Children.

“We don’t want to upset anybody, but we just can’t look away when so many children are dying and the laws need to be upheld,” said Domech. “What’s happening there is genocide and we have to oppose this, whoever the victims are.”

The limited response from other parents has not deterred the dozen or so “regulars” who continue to show up daily. Despite occasional morale boosts, such as passersby taking photos or honking in support, the parents remain committed to their cause. “I couldn’t stand the idea of simply being an onlooker any more, what’s going on is so atrocious,” said Alberto, another parent. “I’m just pleased that we’ve kept going, too.”

Spain has consistently shown support for Palestine and criticised Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. In May 2024, Spain recognised the Palestinian state, alongside Ireland and Norway, and expressed support for the genocide case against Israel submitted by South Africa in the International Court of Justice.

After the European Union’s latest report on Gaza, Spain called directly for suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and demanded an arms embargo.

The parents plan to continue their protest once term restarts in September, “although hopefully that wouldn’t be necessary,” said Domech. Their determination to raise awareness about the plight of Gaza’s children serves as a testament to the power of grassroots activism in bringing attention to critical humanitarian issues.