Madrid Protest Video: Old Footage Misused to Claim Support for Iran/Palestine

Viral Video Misidentifies Madrid Protest: Demonstrations Focused on Palestine, Not Iran

A video circulating widely on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and Threads claims to depict a massive demonstration in Madrid protesting attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran. However, this claim is inaccurate. The footage actually shows a large-scale demonstration held in Madrid on October 4, 2025, in support of Palestine, predating the recent escalation of tensions with Iran. This misattribution highlights the challenges of verifying information in the rapidly evolving landscape of online media, particularly during times of international conflict. The incident underscores the importance of fact-checking and relying on credible sources to avoid the spread of misinformation.

The video, shared in multiple languages including English, French, Portuguese, Greek, Turkish, Japanese, and Persian, has been gaining traction as evidence of widespread opposition to the recent U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, according to Swissinfo. While Spain has been a vocal critic of these actions, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemning the attacks as “unjustifiable,” the protests depicted in the viral video were initially organized in response to a different crisis: the ongoing situation in Gaza and the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla attempting to reach Gaza. Spain officially withdrew its ambassador to Israel on March 11, 2026, as a further demonstration of its opposition to the conflict, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Between March 13th and 15th, 143 Spanish organizations convened demonstrations across various cities to call for an finish to the war in the Middle East, while specifically remembering Gaza, according to Parar la Guerra. In Madrid, approximately 5,000 people gathered in Juan Goytisolo Square, located over a kilometer away from the Gran Vía, the street featured in the viral video. This geographical separation is a key detail in understanding the misrepresentation of the footage. Simultaneously, protests on March 8th, coinciding with International Women’s Day, in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Bilbao, also included expressions of opposition to the conflict in the Middle East, as noted by RFI.

The October 4, 2025 Demonstration: A Focus on Palestine

The origin of the video has been traced back to October 4, 2025, when photographer Olmo Calvo Rodríguez captured the footage during a large demonstration in Madrid expressing solidarity with the Palestinian territories. Rodríguez confirmed to AFP Factual on March 11, 2026, that he took the video during the pro-Palestine demonstration. The demonstration was organized by the Red Solidaria contra la Ocupación de Palestina and aimed to halt what protestors described as a “genocide” in Palestinian territories, as well as to end arms trade and relations with Israel. The protest also coincided with the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla by Israel, further fueling the demonstrations.

The October 2025 demonstration significantly surpassed the turnout of the March protests, with approximately 92,000 participants in Madrid alone, according to the Delegation of the Government in Madrid, as reported by RFI. AFP covered the October 4th protest, alongside other demonstrations held globally in support of Gaza, and Nur Photo also shared images of the event, clearly showing the Gran Vía filled with protestors. This contrasts with the smaller gatherings in March, which took place in Juan Goytisolo Square, a considerable distance from the iconic Gran Vía street.

Spain’s Diplomatic Stance and Recent Developments

The misidentification of this video comes amidst a period of heightened diplomatic tension between Spain, and Israel. Spain’s decision to permanently withdraw its ambassador to Israel, announced on March 11, 2026, as detailed by The Independent, marks a significant escalation in their strained relationship. This move followed an earlier decision in September 2025 to recall the ambassador, triggered by Spain’s measures to prohibit aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from using its ports or airspace in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labeled these Spanish actions as “antisemitic” at the time.

Further complicating the situation, President Donald Trump threatened a full U.S. Trade embargo on Spain after the NATO ally refused to allow the U.S. Military to use its bases for missions related to strikes on Iran, as reported by The Independent. This demonstrates the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict and the pressure being placed on countries to align with specific positions. The ongoing war in the Middle East, which began with a U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28, 2026, continues to have far-reaching consequences, impacting international relations and fueling protests worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• The viral video circulating online does not depict a recent protest against attacks on Iran; it shows a demonstration from October 4, 2025, in support of Palestine.
• Spain has taken a strong diplomatic stance against Israel’s actions, culminating in the permanent withdrawal of its ambassador.
• The misidentification of the video highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, especially during times of conflict.
• Tensions remain high between the U.S. And Spain over the use of Spanish bases for military operations related to the conflict in the Middle East.

As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, Spain’s position remains firmly critical of the ongoing conflict. The next significant development to watch will be the response from Israel to Spain’s diplomatic actions and any potential further escalation of tensions. Readers are encouraged to stay informed through credible news sources and to critically evaluate information encountered online. Share your thoughts and perspectives on this developing story in the comments below.