Lorraine Williamson
Catalonia awoke to a standstill today as tens of thousands joined a general strike — part protest, part plea for peace. What began as a show of solidarity with Palestine has evolved into a wider critique of Spain’s defence policy, highlighting deep divisions over how the country should balance compassion abroad with priorities at home.
Public transport will run at two-thirds capacity, classrooms half empty, and hospitals with reduced staff. Yet the disruption, though significant, is seen by many as necessary to “send a message louder than words,” as one Barcelona teacher told local media.
A protest beyond borders
The strike, though national in scope, hit hardest in Catalonia — a region long known for its social activism. Organised by independent unions such as the CGT alongside mainstream groups UGT and CC OO, the action channels anger over two issues intertwined in public discourse: Spain’s muted stance on Gaza and its growing defence budget.
For many protesters, the conflict in Gaza remains an open wound. Despite a ceasefire and the unveiling of a 20-point peace plan earlier this month, organisers argue that Palestinians continue to face “systemic violence and occupation.” They are calling for Spain to impose a complete arms embargo on Israel and to suspend all military cooperation.
“Peace doesn’t mean silence,” read one banner waved in Girona. “Justice first, then diplomacy.”
The cost of peace — and of war
While solidarity with Gaza formed the emotional heart of the demonstrations, the underlying frustration runs deeper. Protesters denounce what they see as a creeping militarisation of Europe. Even though Spain remains the only EU member refusing to exceed NATO’s 2% defence-spending threshold, many Spaniards fear that the post-Ukraine shift towards rearmament risks starving public services of essential funding.
Unions insist that national budgets should prioritise classrooms and hospitals over fighter jets and tanks. Their call for “books, not bombs” has resonated strongly among students and feminist networks, who argue that war abroad fuels inequality and insecurity at home.
Spain pushes for peace with accountability
Strikes and symbolic action
Unlike previous nationwide stoppages, this mobilisation takes two forms. Mainstream unions are staging partial strikes throughout the day — short, targeted stoppages designed to minimise chaos while amplifying their message. The CGT, however, pushed for a full 24-hour shutdown, bringing transport, healthcare, and education sectors under visible strain in Catalonia.
In Barcelona, demonstrations snaked from Plaça Universitat to the city’s port, while Tarragona and Girona saw smaller but spirited gatherings. Palestinian flags flew alongside banners condemning the arms trade and calling for a “new European peace agenda.”
Those joining the strike did so voluntarily, aware they would lose pay for the hours or day of protest. Still, participation was widespread enough to disrupt daily life, particularly in education and healthcare.
Essential services and legal balance
The Catalan government, wary of paralysing the region, issued a decree ensuring essential services remained operational. Hospitals will continue emergency and oncology treatments, while schools will be kept at least minimal supervision. Public transport runs at roughly two-thirds of its usual frequency, and critical infrastructure such as emergency hotlines and utility networks function normally.
Officials described these measures as necessary to safeguard the “constitutional right to strike without infringing on the right to public service.” Notably, unions have not challenged these limits in court — a rare sign of mutual restraint amid political tension.
Support and symbolism
As the day unfolds, public squares will be filled with chants and colour rather than violence. Student collectives and feminist associations join forces with peace campaigners, transforming the strike into a symbolic show of conscience rather than confrontation.
The Spanish government acknowledged the right to protest but emphasised adherence to service guarantees. Meanwhile, Catalan leaders urged participants to demonstrate peacefully — a call largely heeded across the region.
A country questioning its priorities
Today’s strike reflects a growing unease across Spain: a sense that solidarity and spending have become moral battlegrounds. The Gaza ceasefire may have paused the fighting, but for many Spaniards, it has not ended the debate over what peace truly means — or how far their government should go in defending it.