In an extraordinary display of global solidarity and discord, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States. The protests aimed to express support for Palestinians while vehemently condemning Israel’s heightened retaliatory actions against Gaza following last week’s Hamas attacks.
In stark contrast, Jewish communities in the United States, France, and other nations rallied in a show of solidarity with Israel. These rallies come in the wake of the deadliest spate of attacks against Israeli civilians in the country’s history, perpetrated by Hamas.
Western governments and many citizens have offered staunch support for Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks. However, the Israeli response has sparked outrage, particularly in Arab and Muslim countries.
The situation was especially heated in Turkey, where crowds gathered outside mosques to denounce Israel and salute Hamas. In Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, clashes erupted between Palestinian youths and the Israeli military.
Demonstrations spread throughout Europe, with a colossal Palestinian flag held aloft in a passionate protest in Rome. Similar events transpired in cities like Braband, Denmark, and Berlin, where a few protesters were apprehended by the authorities.
The situation escalated to the point where Germany and France banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations, while western countries enhanced security around synagogues and Jewish schools due to concerns of potential violence during the protests.
Hamas, the governing entity in Gaza, has called upon Palestinians to rise up in protest against Israel’s bombardment of the blockaded enclave and encouraged them to march on al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. This holy site is of immense significance, being Islam’s third holiest location after Mecca and Medina, as well as the most sacred to Jews, referred to as the Temple Mount. Thus far, there have been no major incidents reported at the site.
Last weekend’s assault by Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by several governments, resulted in the loss of at least 1,300 lives, most of whom were civilians, including women and children. Israel has since continued to strike Gaza with airstrikes and artillery fire, resulting in more than 1,900 Palestinian casualties.
In the United States, demonstrators showed support for both sides of the conflict, prompting heightened police presence in Jewish and Muslim neighborhoods in major cities like New York City and Los Angeles.
Protests spanned the globe. In Baghdad, tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in Tahrir Square, burning the Israeli flag and chanting anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans. State-organized rallies were held in Iran, which is a significant backer of Hamas and a prominent foe of Israel.
Hezbollah’s deputy chief in Lebanon, Naim Qassem, declared the group’s readiness to contribute to the fighting. Thousands of Yemeni citizens displayed Palestinian flags and voiced support in the capital, Sana’a.
From Indonesia to Sri Lanka, Japan to Bulgaria, and Pakistan to Egypt, people took to the streets to express their views. Jewish communities also scheduled vigils and rallies in support of Israel, while law enforcement in many countries stepped up security measures due to increased hate crimes, particularly antisemitism.
Amidst the global turmoil, thousands of individuals were expected to participate in a ‘March for Palestine’ in London on Saturday. The world watches, with bated breath, as tensions continue to flare in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
By Reuters
