Across Europe, a profound shift is unfolding. Once reluctant to challenge Israel’s actions, many European societies are now openly confronting the realities of the genocidal war in Gaza. The transformation is not confined to governments or political circles, it is rooted in the streets, the media, and the conscience of ordinary people. Over the past two years, tens of thousands of marches, vigils, and cultural events have swept through nearly every major European city, from London to Madrid, Rome, and Berlin. Millions have taken to the streets, refusing to remain silent as images of devastation and human suffering from Gaza reach their screens.

This groundswell of public awareness has reshaped political discourse across the continent. Recognition of the Palestinian state by several European countries, the recall of ambassadors, and growing calls to suspend arms exports to Israel are signs of a new moral and political awakening. Even Germany, long one of Israel’s staunchest allies, has faced internal pressure to halt weapons transfers. Labour unions, student movements, and sports communities have joined the chorus, with clubs like Athletic Bilbao publicly standing in solidarity with Palestinians. What began as scattered protests has evolved into a continental movement, one that is forcing leaders to reconcile their values with their policies.

The turning point came as the sheer magnitude of the atrocities in Gaza became impossible to deny. The images of children under rubble, of starvation used as a weapon, of journalists killed while documenting the horror, pierced through decades of political silence. As Majed Al-Zeer noted, Europe’s awakening is not only a reaction to tragedy but a reassertion of humanity, a recognition that justice for Palestine is inseparable from the moral integrity of Europe itself. The challenge now lies in sustaining this momentum and transforming solidarity into lasting political change that truly upholds the principles Europe claims to defend.