Pro-Palestine demonstrators rally outside Israeli consulate in Spain
Footage verified by Al Jazeera shows protesters gathering outside the Israeli consulate in Barcelona as part of a general strike called by major labour and student unions across Spain to denounce the genocide in Gaza.
Demonstrators set rubbish containers on fire, creating barricades between themselves and police forces, who later charged at the crowds to disperse them. Videos circulating online also show some protesters launching fireworks towards the consulate.
The strike, which includes more than 200 demonstrations nationwide, was organised to denounce what unions have called a “genocide” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Protesters have demanded that Spain sever all relations with Israel, drawing comparisons with international campaigns that helped end apartheid in South Africa.
Police clash with pro-Palestine protesters in Barcelona
Protesters scuffle with police during a demonstration in Spain in support of Palestinians on Wednesday
US group calls for probe into alleged complicity in GHF site killings
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has joined a call for authorities in the US state of North Carolina to investigate whether a local company was involved in alleged war crimes at aid distribution sites in Gaza operated by the notorious Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
More than 2,600 Palestinians were killed while seeking food at GHF sites after Israeli forces and contractors opened fire on crowds of desperate aid seekers, according to a tally by the Health Ministry in Gaza.
CAIR and other US-based rights advocates are urging North Carolina officials to open a formal investigation into UG Solutions over claims the firm, “acting in concert with Israeli military forces and other security contractors, allegedly openly and indiscriminately fired on humanitarian aid seekers” at GHF sites.
“Companies incorporated in North Carolina must not be complicit in war crimes or human rights abuses abroad,” said Al Rieder, manager of CAIR’s North Carolina chapter.
“The evidence that a North Carolina-based company allegedly participated in attacks on starving civilians in Gaza is horrifying. We are urging the state’s top officials to uphold the law and ensure that North Carolina is not used as a base for operations that contribute to the suffering of innocent people.”
