Protest

12
May 2026
7:34 UTC

Europe Tactical (UPDATE): Pro-Palestinian protests commemorating Nakba Day to take place in multiple cities on May 15-17; avoid nonessential travel

Current Situation

  • Multiple pro-Palestinian protests commemorating Nakba Day and denouncing Israel’s military operations in Gaza are scheduled in several cities across Europe on May 15-17.  
  • Nakba Day, marked annually on May 15, commemorates the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and the establishment of the State of Israel, and is commonly used by pro-Palestinian groups as a symbolic date for demonstrations against Israeli policies and military operations.  
  • Further details regarding the protests are given below:
  • On May 17 in Brussels, Belgium, a pro-Palestinian protest march will be held from Gare du Nord to Gare Centrale at 14:00 (local time). However exact route of the protest is unannounced as of writing.

Source: Facebook

  • On May 16 in Copenhagen, Denmark, a pro-Palestinian protest march will be held from Halmtorvet to Christiansborg at 14:00. However, the exact route of the protest is unannounced as of writing. 

Source: Organizer’s website

  • On May 15 in Helsinki, Finland, the “March for Palestine – Nakba 78 Years” will take place at the Railway Station at 18:00. 

Source: Facebook 

  • On May 16 in Paris, France, a pro-Palestinian protest organized by the EuroPalestine group will be held from Place de la Republique at 14:00.

Source: X/Twitter

  • On May 16 in Berlin, Germany, a pro-Palestinian protest organized by the Internationalistisches Bundnis Berlin will take place at Oranienplatz at 14:00.

Source: Instagram 

  • On May 16 in Hamburg, Germany, the “Stop Nakba Now” protest will take place at Landungsbrucken at 15:00.

Source: Instagram

  • On May 16 in Munich, Germany, a pro-Palestinian solidarity gathering will commence at Karlsplatz-Stachus at 12:00, followed by a protest at 16:00.

Source: Instagram

  • On May 16 in Dublin, Ireland, the National March for Palestine protest will take place at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin at 13:00.

Source: Instagram 

  • On May 16 in Milan, Italy, a pro-Palestinian protest will take place at Piazzale XXIV Maggio at 14:30. The protest is organized by the pro-Palestinian group Giovani Palestinesi Italia and Associazione dei Palestinesi in Italia API. 

Source: Instagram

  • On May 15, in Warsaw, Poland, a pro-Palestinian protest will be held in front of the US Embassy from 14:00.

Source: Instagram

  • On May 15 in Lisbon, Portugal, a pro-Palestinian protest will take place at Praca Camoes at 18:00. 

Source: Facebook

  • On May 16 in Barcelona, Spain, a pro-Palestinian protest will be held at Placa Catuluniya from 18:00. 

Source: Instagram

  • On May 17 in Madrid, Spain, a pro-Palestinian march will be held from Atocha to Callao at 12:00. However, the exact route of the protest is unannounced as of writing.

Source: X/Twitter

  • On May 16 in London, UK, a pro-Palestinian protest will be held at Exhibition Road at 12:00. The protest is organized by Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC). 

Source:  X/Twitter

Assessments & Forecast

  1. Considering the high symbolic significance of Nakba Day for pro-Palestinian movements, alongside the strong mobilizational capabilities of affiliated activist networks and the precedent of large-scale demonstrations during Nakba Day in 2024-2025, as well as other symbolic dates such as Al-Quds Day and Palestinian Land Day in 2026, the upcoming protests are likely to witness elevated turnout levels compared to routine demonstrations. Indeed, continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and sustained elevated sentiments on the humanitarian situation are also expected to contribute to higher participation levels.
  2. Accordingly, based on precedent and the mobilizing strength of the organizers, the protests in Warsaw, Lisbon, Helsinki, Hamburg, and Munich are expected to attract turnout ranging from the mid hundreds to low thousands. Meanwhile, demonstrations in Berlin, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan, and Paris are likely to draw participation in the high thousands to mid tens of thousands. Dublin is likely to draw turnout in the low tens of thousands. London is likely to see the largest turnout, in the high tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands, based on PSC’s high mobilization capability, with organizer estimates suggesting that more than 200,000 protesters joined the 2025 Nakba Day demonstration.
  3. In addition to the aforementioned protests, the possibility of spontaneous pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests remains elevated regionwide – especially on Nakba Day. Such protests are likely to occur near central government buildings, Israeli and US diplomatic missions, Jewish and Muslim establishments, and prominent public places in major urban centers.
  4. While Nakba Day protests held in 2025 in cities including Warsaw, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Brussels, London, and Paris largely transpired without major unrest, demonstrations in Berlin recorded clashes between protesters and police, resulting in arrests and injuries. Coupled with unrest recorded during subsequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in several European cities, such as Madrid, Milan, and London, particularly during September-October 2025, and continued heightened tensions surrounding Israeli operations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East, the upcoming protests carry an elevated risk of localized unrest. This will likely manifest as clashes between protesters and police
  5. This risk is likely to be more pronounced in Brussels, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Milan, Madrid, and Paris, given the stronger precedent of large-scale central mobilizations, police interventions, arrests, and clashes in these cities, as well as the presence of radical pro-Palestinian activist elements. This assessment is further supported by incidents such as the March 15 Al-Quds Day rally in London, which recorded 12 arrests and the deployment of more than 1,000 police officers, as well as the February 7-8 protests in Milan, during which protesters reportedly threw bottles, smoke bombs, and firecrackers at police, prompting the use of water cannon.
  6. In London, the risk of unrest remains particularly heightened as the PSC demonstration coincides with a far-right protest linked to Tommy Robinson. The latter is scheduled to march from Kingsway via Aldwych, Strand, Trafalgar Square, and Whitehall toward Parliament Square, placing both demonstrations in proximity within central London. Given the ideological opposition between participants, the proximity of gathering areas raises the risk of clashes, confrontations, and disorder involving protesters, counterprotesters, or police. The anticipated large-scale police deployment and implementation of protest-related restrictions further underscore official concerns regarding potential public order incidents.
  7. As such, a bolstered security presence is expected near the aforementioned protest locations to monitor proceedings and for crowd control. In the event of unrest, the security forces will likely use forcible crowd dispersal methods, including tear gas, baton charges, and mass arrests.
  8. Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic are expected near the aforementioned protest locations during the slated protest timings. 
  9. FORECAST: With multiple pro-Palestinian direct-action groups continuing to hold training sessions and recruitment initiatives for new supporters focused on disruptive protest tactics, similar incidents are likely to intensify around Nakba Day, given its symbolic significance. Based on precedent, financial institutions, defense suppliers, media organizations, logistics firms, and multinational retail outlets perceived by activists as supportive of Israel are likely to remain vulnerable to disruptive actions, including vandalism, occupations, blockades, and property damage. While most actions are likely to remain focused on property damage and disruption tactics, the risk of confrontations with security personnel and employees remains elevated, particularly during forced removals, counterprotests, or attempts to prevent activists from accessing facilities.

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in London on May 16 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near central London due to heightened potential for unrest stemming from the scheduled Nakba Day protest and the far-right rally. 
  2. Those operating in other abovementioned protest cities on May 15-17 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the elevated risk of unrest at the scheduled protests. 
  3. Allot for associated disruptions to travel during protest timings. 
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Low
AFFECTED AREA Europe
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Current Situation

  • Multiple pro-Palestinian protests commemorating Nakba Day and denouncing Israel’s military operations in Gaza are scheduled in several cities across Europe on May 15-17.  
  • Nakba Day, marked annually on May 15, commemorates the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and the establishment of the State of Israel, and is commonly used by pro-Palestinian groups as a symbolic date for demonstrations against Israeli policies and military operations.  
  • Further details regarding the protests are given below:
  • On May 17 in Brussels, Belgium, a pro-Palestinian protest march will be held from Gare du Nord to Gare Centrale at 14:00 (local time). However exact route of the protest is unannounced as of writing.

Source: Facebook

  • On May 16 in Copenhagen, Denmark, a pro-Palestinian protest march will be held from Halmtorvet to Christiansborg at 14:00. However, the exact route of the protest is unannounced as of writing. 

Source: Organizer’s website

  • On May 15 in Helsinki, Finland, the “March for Palestine – Nakba 78 Years” will take place at the Railway Station at 18:00. 

Source: Facebook 

  • On May 16 in Paris, France, a pro-Palestinian protest organized by the EuroPalestine group will be held from Place de la Republique at 14:00.

Source: X/Twitter

  • On May 16 in Berlin, Germany, a pro-Palestinian protest organized by the Internationalistisches Bundnis Berlin will take place at Oranienplatz at 14:00.

Source: Instagram 

  • On May 16 in Hamburg, Germany, the “Stop Nakba Now” protest will take place at Landungsbrucken at 15:00.

Source: Instagram

  • On May 16 in Munich, Germany, a pro-Palestinian solidarity gathering will commence at Karlsplatz-Stachus at 12:00, followed by a protest at 16:00.

Source: Instagram

  • On May 16 in Dublin, Ireland, the National March for Palestine protest will take place at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin at 13:00.

Source: Instagram 

  • On May 16 in Milan, Italy, a pro-Palestinian protest will take place at Piazzale XXIV Maggio at 14:30. The protest is organized by the pro-Palestinian group Giovani Palestinesi Italia and Associazione dei Palestinesi in Italia API. 

Source: Instagram

  • On May 15, in Warsaw, Poland, a pro-Palestinian protest will be held in front of the US Embassy from 14:00.

Source: Instagram

  • On May 15 in Lisbon, Portugal, a pro-Palestinian protest will take place at Praca Camoes at 18:00. 

Source: Facebook

  • On May 16 in Barcelona, Spain, a pro-Palestinian protest will be held at Placa Catuluniya from 18:00. 

Source: Instagram

  • On May 17 in Madrid, Spain, a pro-Palestinian march will be held from Atocha to Callao at 12:00. However, the exact route of the protest is unannounced as of writing.

Source: X/Twitter

  • On May 16 in London, UK, a pro-Palestinian protest will be held at Exhibition Road at 12:00. The protest is organized by Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC). 

Source:  X/Twitter

Assessments & Forecast

  1. Considering the high symbolic significance of Nakba Day for pro-Palestinian movements, alongside the strong mobilizational capabilities of affiliated activist networks and the precedent of large-scale demonstrations during Nakba Day in 2024-2025, as well as other symbolic dates such as Al-Quds Day and Palestinian Land Day in 2026, the upcoming protests are likely to witness elevated turnout levels compared to routine demonstrations. Indeed, continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and sustained elevated sentiments on the humanitarian situation are also expected to contribute to higher participation levels.
  2. Accordingly, based on precedent and the mobilizing strength of the organizers, the protests in Warsaw, Lisbon, Helsinki, Hamburg, and Munich are expected to attract turnout ranging from the mid hundreds to low thousands. Meanwhile, demonstrations in Berlin, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Madrid, Milan, and Paris are likely to draw participation in the high thousands to mid tens of thousands. Dublin is likely to draw turnout in the low tens of thousands. London is likely to see the largest turnout, in the high tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands, based on PSC’s high mobilization capability, with organizer estimates suggesting that more than 200,000 protesters joined the 2025 Nakba Day demonstration.
  3. In addition to the aforementioned protests, the possibility of spontaneous pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests remains elevated regionwide – especially on Nakba Day. Such protests are likely to occur near central government buildings, Israeli and US diplomatic missions, Jewish and Muslim establishments, and prominent public places in major urban centers.
  4. While Nakba Day protests held in 2025 in cities including Warsaw, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Brussels, London, and Paris largely transpired without major unrest, demonstrations in Berlin recorded clashes between protesters and police, resulting in arrests and injuries. Coupled with unrest recorded during subsequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations in several European cities, such as Madrid, Milan, and London, particularly during September-October 2025, and continued heightened tensions surrounding Israeli operations in Gaza, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East, the upcoming protests carry an elevated risk of localized unrest. This will likely manifest as clashes between protesters and police
  5. This risk is likely to be more pronounced in Brussels, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Milan, Madrid, and Paris, given the stronger precedent of large-scale central mobilizations, police interventions, arrests, and clashes in these cities, as well as the presence of radical pro-Palestinian activist elements. This assessment is further supported by incidents such as the March 15 Al-Quds Day rally in London, which recorded 12 arrests and the deployment of more than 1,000 police officers, as well as the February 7-8 protests in Milan, during which protesters reportedly threw bottles, smoke bombs, and firecrackers at police, prompting the use of water cannon.
  6. In London, the risk of unrest remains particularly heightened as the PSC demonstration coincides with a far-right protest linked to Tommy Robinson. The latter is scheduled to march from Kingsway via Aldwych, Strand, Trafalgar Square, and Whitehall toward Parliament Square, placing both demonstrations in proximity within central London. Given the ideological opposition between participants, the proximity of gathering areas raises the risk of clashes, confrontations, and disorder involving protesters, counterprotesters, or police. The anticipated large-scale police deployment and implementation of protest-related restrictions further underscore official concerns regarding potential public order incidents.
  7. As such, a bolstered security presence is expected near the aforementioned protest locations to monitor proceedings and for crowd control. In the event of unrest, the security forces will likely use forcible crowd dispersal methods, including tear gas, baton charges, and mass arrests.
  8. Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic are expected near the aforementioned protest locations during the slated protest timings. 
  9. FORECAST: With multiple pro-Palestinian direct-action groups continuing to hold training sessions and recruitment initiatives for new supporters focused on disruptive protest tactics, similar incidents are likely to intensify around Nakba Day, given its symbolic significance. Based on precedent, financial institutions, defense suppliers, media organizations, logistics firms, and multinational retail outlets perceived by activists as supportive of Israel are likely to remain vulnerable to disruptive actions, including vandalism, occupations, blockades, and property damage. While most actions are likely to remain focused on property damage and disruption tactics, the risk of confrontations with security personnel and employees remains elevated, particularly during forced removals, counterprotests, or attempts to prevent activists from accessing facilities.

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in London on May 16 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near central London due to heightened potential for unrest stemming from the scheduled Nakba Day protest and the far-right rally. 
  2. Those operating in other abovementioned protest cities on May 15-17 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the elevated risk of unrest at the scheduled protests. 
  3. Allot for associated disruptions to travel during protest timings. 
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Low
AFFECTED AREA Europe
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Related Reports

UK
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    Europe Tactical (UPDATE): Anti-Iranian government protests to take place in multiple cities regionwide on May 10; allot for disruptions
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    Europe Tactical (UPDATE): Protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict slated to take place in cities regionwide on May 8-12; maintain heightened vigilance
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    Germany & UK Tactical (UPDATE): Pro-Palestinian protests targeting company meetings slated in Munich, London, on May 7; maintain heightened vigilance
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    UK Tactical (UPDATE): Pro-Palestinian protest slated outside Central Criminal Court in London from 09:00 (local time) on May 1; maintain heightened vigilance

Related Reports

UK
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    Europe Tactical (UPDATE): Anti-Iranian government protests to take place in multiple cities regionwide on May 10; allot for disruptions
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    Europe Tactical (UPDATE): Protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict slated to take place in cities regionwide on May 8-12; maintain heightened vigilance
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    Germany & UK Tactical (UPDATE): Pro-Palestinian protests targeting company meetings slated in Munich, London, on May 7; maintain heightened vigilance
  • PROTEST
    Protest
    UK Tactical (UPDATE): Pro-Palestinian protest slated outside Central Criminal Court in London from 09:00 (local time) on May 1; maintain heightened vigilance