Barcelona’s Palestinian and Israeli communities held separate events one year after Hamas attacks

Coinciding with the first anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israeli soil that resulted in 1,200 deaths and 240 hostages, supporters of both Israeli and Arab sides held separate events at separate times in Barcelona.

In the early afternoon, around 4,500 people, according to the local police, demonstrated in the Catalan capital’s city center to support Palestine and Lebanon.

‘Stop the genocide’ was the motto of the rally that took place between Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça Catalunya, right in the downtown.

Attendees have also urged the Spanish government to put an end to the “trade of arms and military and security technology with Israel.”

‘Israel murders, Spain sponsors it’

They also advocated for breaking “diplomatic, institutional, economic, sport, and culture” ties with the Jewish nation.

Palestinians and Lebanese residents in Catalonia led the march, along with several trade unions parties, and left-wing political representatives including CUP and Comuns members.

“Israel murders, Spain sponsors it,” was one of the chants heard during the event, along with “Freedom for Palestine.”

The protesters passed by the EU office in Barcelona, where they chanted “shame” at the European institutions since they consider Brussels an “accomplice” of Netanyahu’s government.

A very long list containing the deaths in Gaza was also displayed during the event.

‘Israel is doing the right thing’

Some hours later, the Jewish community Jabad Lubvitch of Barcelona remembered the attacks perpetrated by Hamas a year ago.

On the eve of the events, around 200 people gathered at rabbi David Libersohn synagogue, in the capital, to pay tribute to those killed in those events and to wish a “speedy recovery” for those kidnapped. They also praised the Jewish army’s “heroes.”

Some candles were also lit to remember the Israeli victims on October 7, 2023, and attendees also prayed for “peace and wellbeing of all inhabitants in the region.”

On Saturday, the same rabbi told the Catalan News Agency that Israelis “is doing the right thing” in the Middle East.

“They have the right to live where they choose to live and in our land,” said Libersohn, who has a son enrolled in the army.

Shemtov Jané, member of the Jabad Lubavitch community, also said that "it has been a very difficult year" in which they had to "understand" why a group of people going to a concert are "very dangerous people that need to be killed," he told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) before adding that "it was a very difficult moment."

One day, it will be necessary to "find a moment to rethink the situation, to look for peace" between both civilizations, Jané said, that "unfortunately, or fortunately, they are living side by side."

"Or you reach an agreement, or you disappear, and because none want to disappear, the only solution is an agreement," Jané added.