Thousands of people attending Spain’s annual San Fermín festival unfurled a giant banner reading “Destroy Israel” during the opening days of the world-famous celebration, turning one of the country’s most iconic cultural events into a platform for pro-Palestinian activism.
Participants also threw inflatable watermelon-themed balls into the crowd, a widely recognised symbol of solidarity with Palestinians, as thousands gathered in Pamplona for the start of the nine-day festival.
Videos of the demonstration quickly spread across social media, drawing international attention amid continuing tensions over the Israel–Palestine conflict.
The protest appeared to pass without significant disruption to the festival’s programme, and there were no immediate reports of clashes or arrests.
It was not immediately clear which organisation was responsible for displaying the banner, while festival organisers and local authorities had not issued an official statement on the demonstration at the time of reporting.
The San Fermín festival, held every July in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona, attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the world. Best known for its traditional Running of the Bulls, the festival also features religious ceremonies, parades, concerts and other cultural events, making it one of Spain’s most internationally recognised celebrations.
The demonstration comes as Spain continues to witness regular pro-Palestinian protests following the outbreak of the genocide in Gaza. Large rallies have been held in cities including Madrid, Barcelona and Pamplona, reflecting sustained public mobilisation in support of Palestinians.
The Spanish government has also time and again criticised the Israeli offensive against innocent Palestinians.
