On September 27, trade unions in Spain, led by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), carried out a 24-hour general strike to show solidarity with the people of Palestine. The unions demanded that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government sever all political, economic, and cultural ties with Israel. The strike drew support from approximately 200 trade unions and civil society organizations, including student associations and Palestine solidarity groups.
By the end of the strike, over 150,000 people had participated in protests and rallies across the country, according to the CGT. Protesters reported that the rally in Barcelona alone drew approximately 50,000 people into the streets. The overwhelming response signals a growing public demand for Spain to take stronger action against Israel. “Israel is spearheading the most regressive and reactionary policies imaginable, immersed in an offensive of ethnic cleansing that affects the entire international working class,” said the CGT in a statement.
CGT General-Secretary Miguel Fadrique emphasized that the strike was about more than just labor issues: “Today’s event went beyond the workplace. It was a social commitment. We gave a voice to many who oppose what is happening and do not want to be complicit [in Israel’s genocide].”
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While Spain has tried to distinguish itself from other European countries by formally recognizing Palestine and supporting peace efforts, many protesters felt this was not enough. Speaking to The Palestine Chronicle, student activists argued that Spain must cut all commercial and military ties with Israel.
The strike also saw actions targeting companies with strong financial links to Israel and the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Activists blocked the entrances and threw paint at branches of Santander Bank and the Carrefour supermarket chain, calling out their complicity. Some activists were arrested during these actions, leading to more reactions from the organizations who launched the strike. “Arresting those who denounce this situation is yet another example of the gag law’s tyranny, curtailing freedom of speech and association,” said the CGT.
Among the groups protesting was Samidoun, the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, which reaffirmed calls for accountability for institutions and businesses involved in Israeli crimes. The group also demanded the release of activists who have spent years in jail for supporting the Palestinian cause. “As long as the genocidal state exists, we will continue to take to the streets and defend the Palestinian resistance and prisoners,” Samidoun said.
The broad participation in the strike demonstrated that Spain’s labor movement is capable of mobilizing thousands in support of Palestinian liberation. Building on the momentum, the CGT and other organizations have called for a second round of actions on October 5 and 6, as the world marks a full year of Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
