Up to a million Spaniards crowded the streets of central Madrid yesterday in a massive demonstration of revulsion at ETA's killing of a senior army officer on Friday.
It was the largest public protest in the Spanish capital since a similar number took to the streets in a protest following the kidnap and murder of a young Basque councillor, Miguel Angel Blanco, in July 1997.
There were similar demonstrations in Barcelona and other Spanish cities, although in the north there were several pro-ETA demonstrations demanding that Basque prisoners be moved to jails nearer their homes.
On a cold but sunny morning, Madrilenos from all walks of life, some in fur coats, others in working clothes, walked peacefully behind a banner bearing the words "For peace, for freedom! No to terrorism!".
It was carried by the Prime Minister, Mr Jose Maria Aznar, the leader of the opposition, Mr Joaquin Almunia, three former prime ministers - Mr Felipe Gonzalez, Mr Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo and Mr Adolfo Suarez - union leaders and politicians of all shades. The crowd was so large that the end of the demonstration had not moved from the starting point when the head reached the finish in the Puerta del Sol 40 minutes later and was listening to the joint statement, read out by the Basque actor, Imanol Arias, calling on ETA to end its violence.
Many of the demonstrators had painted their hands white in a symbolic gesture showing innocent hands untainted with blood.
Dozens carried banners saying "ETA no!" or simply "NO!" while others were critical of the demonstrations being held in the north. "Even if they have to travel to see them, the families of those ETA prisoners can at least visit them, but the families of their victims can only visit their graves in the cemetery," said one middle-aged woman.
Almost 800 people have lost their lives in the 30-year terrorist war.
Among the banners at yesterday's demonstration were several aimed at the moderate Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and its leader, Mr Xabier Arzallus, whose ambivalent attitude to ETA in recent weeks has infuriated the majority of Spaniards. "Arzallus, we didn't see you at the funeral!" said one banner.
PNV has been critical of the government for its "immobility" and failure to make progress during the ceasefire, when only two meetings took place. The government insists there can be no negotiation under the threat of terrorism, but Mr Arzallus believes that, as in Northern Ireland, the solution can only come through negotiation. "How many more must die before the government moves itself?" he asked this weekend.
At the same time, Mr Julen Madariaga, a founder member of ETA, who has since renounced violence, was openly critical of his former comrades. In an interview with a Basque newspaper he said: "They lack the democratic will to listen to the wish of the majority of the Basque people."
Police yesterday issued a photofit picture of the two men they believe detonated the 20 kg of explosives in the stolen Renault Clio last Friday. One bears a close resemblance to Mr Josu Ordonez, whose photograph - along with those of four other ETA suspects - was circulated last month after ETA called off its ceasefire.