Nationwide rallies in Greece call for end to Gaza genocide

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held across Greece on Sunday, with participants demanding an end to the war in Gaza and chanting “Freedom for Palestine.” The rallies coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of a full-scale military operation in the enclave.

According to the organisers, solidarity actions took place “in every city, every island, every tourist destination” following a call by the March to Gaza initiative. The peaceful, anti-war mobilisations were supported by groups including BDS Greece, March to Gaza, the Palestinian Community in Greece, Stop the War Alliance, KEERFA, and dozens of local collectives nationwide.

In Athens, hundreds of protesters marched through the streets, condemning the killing of civilians in Gaza. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Not in Our Name” and “We Refuse to Be Complicit in Genocide.” In Thessaloniki, over 1,000 people joined the march — one of the largest summer turnouts in recent years. Rallies were also reported from islands such as Kefalonia and Rhodes to cities across mainland Greece.

“This was a huge breath of solidarity, humanity, and dignity from Kefalonia to Rhodes, across the country,” commented Nasos Iliopoulos, MP for the New Left party, in a social media post.

In its statement, March to Gaza described August 10 as a “direct response to the Greek government’s insistence on cooperating with a genocidal state, without shame.” The group called for an immediate end to all such alliances, adding: “Wherever we are — in every village, square, island, street, and mountain — we raise our voices for justice and Palestine. We do not tolerate supporters of genocide in our country or in our islands. The world will know the Greek government stands alone, while the rest of us raise the flag of solidarity and stand firmly with Palestine. Freedom.”