Several arrests reported after violent anti-Israel protests in Spain

At least 15 people were arrested during large anti-Israel demonstrations in Barcelona yesterday, local newspaper La Vanguardia reports, citing Catalan police.

Protesters marched toward the Israeli consulate in the city, attacking and vandalizing businesses accused of collaborating with Israel, including Burger King, McDonalds and Starbucks. Demonstrators also set fire to garbage bins, blocked a central thoroughfare and clashed with riot police.

Están quemando contenedores en la calle Tarragona de Barcelona en la manifestación por Palestina.

No hay ninguna manifestación de la izquierda en la que no haya violencia y disturbios, y no pasa nada.

Basta ya de impunidad para los matones zurdos.pic.twitter.com/V4AKrh9Eqa

— Guaje Salvaje (@GuajeSalvaje) October 15, 2025

Organizers claimed 50,000 people took part in the central march, while police put the figure at 15,000, La Vanguardia reports.

Over 40.000 people took to the Barcelona streets on Wednesday, October 15, during the general strike in support of Palestine and in protest against Israel.
The night ended with heavy clashes between demonstrators and the Catalan police, near the Israeli consulate. pic.twitter.com/iTaR805Men

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) October 16, 2025

Protests against alleged genocide in Gaza were reportedly held in 40 cities around Spain.

Protesters in Barcelona also attempted to accost the Hapoel Jerusalem basketball team, forcing players and coaches to change hotels under heavy police guard. The team fell to Manresa in Eurobasket, playing in an empty arena for security reasons.

Elsewhere, five protesters were reported arrested during clashes with police protecting the Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball team ahead of a game against Valencia in the coastal Spanish city, also played in an empty arena.

????Tensión en las protestas propalestinas a las puertas del Roig Arena, en Valencia

Allí se juega esta tarde un partido de la Euroliga de baloncesto entre el Valencia Basket y el Hapoel Tel Aviv

▶Joan Moreno (@RTVEValencia) https://t.co/YG2YEjG94v pic.twitter.com/OhlM2BPPUI

— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) October 15, 2025