Europe’s long silence is cracking. After months of complicity cloaked in diplomatic caution, several European governments are finally shifting course on Israel’s war in Gaza — but for many Palestinians, the change comes too late, and not nearly strong enough.

Nearly 600 days into a brutal military campaign that has left tens of thousands dead, millions displaced, and Gaza’s social fabric torn beyond recognition, a new tone is emerging from European capitals. The once unwavering support for Israel is facing serious fractures, driven not by morality or principle, but by pressure from below.

It was the people who led the way. Across Europe, millions marched. Their banners called for an end to the bombardment, for justice, and for the halt of arms sales that fuel Israel’s war machine. The roar of public outrage became impossible to ignore — even for governments that had long defended Israel under the guise of “security.”

The weight of Gaza’s suffering — visible in every hospital bombed, every starving child, every mass grave — has reached the eyes and ears of the world. Media coverage, no longer filtered through Israeli talking points, is forcing the public to confront the human cost of this war. And as grassroots movements grow louder, Europe’s leaders are being dragged, reluctantly, toward accountability.

The suspension of trade deals, the calls for ceasefires, and the parliamentary votes to stop weapons exports mark a break from the past — but not yet a break with complicity. Palestinians see this shift as a response to undeniable atrocities rather than a genuine commitment to justice. It is a political recalculation, not a moral awakening.

What remains clear is that the power lies with the people. As diaspora communities and solidarity groups continue to mobilise, they remind Europe that justice for Gaza cannot be a passing trend. Ending the genocide demands more than gestures — it requires sustained action, clear condemnation, and the courage to confront Israel’s crimes, no matter the political cost.