Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered across the Middle East, parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States to express support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israel’s intensifying strikes on Gaza in response to Hamas attacks.
Simultaneously, Jewish communities in the United States, France, and other nations have held rallies in solidarity with Israel, following the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas in the country’s history.
The conflict has elicited strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments and many citizens, while it has also sparked anger, particularly in Arab and Muslim countries.
In Turkey, crowds congregated outside mosques, chanting against Israel and expressing support for Hamas. The southeastern city of Diyarbakir saw protesters rallying against Israel, with one business owner stating, “All the Muslim world needs to be one against Israel.”
In Nablus, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, youth set fires on the streets and clashed with Israeli military forces.
Protests spread to various parts of Europe, including Rome, where a massive Palestinian flag was carried overhead during a demonstration. Other European cities, such as Braband in Denmark and Berlin, also witnessed protests, with some demonstrators detained by police.
Some Western countries, including Germany and France, prohibited pro-Palestinian demonstrations, while others increased security measures at synagogues and Jewish schools due to concerns that protests could lead to violence.
Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, called on Palestinians to protest Israel’s bombardment of the blockaded enclave and march on the al-Aqsa mosque. So far, no major incidents have been reported at the holy site in East Jerusalem’s walled Old City.
The recent Hamas assault on Israeli communities resulted in the deaths of at least 1,300 people, with the majority being civilians, including women and children. In response, Israel has launched airstrikes and artillery fire on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 1,900 Palestinians.
Protests in the United States showed solidarity with both sides of the conflict, prompting increased police presence in Jewish and Muslim neighborhoods in major cities, from New York City to Los Angeles.
In Washington, a rally supporting Israel and the American Jewish community drew about 200 people. In contrast, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets in New York.
In Iraq, tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in central Tahrir Square, waving Palestinian flags and burning the Israeli flag while chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
Similar demonstrations unfolded in Iran, a primary supporter of Hamas and a staunch opponent of Israel. Hezbollah’s deputy chief, Naim Qassem, expressed the group’s readiness to contribute to the fighting in Lebanon.
Protests also took place in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Japan, Bulgaria, Yemen, Cape Town, India’s Kashmir region, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Egypt.
Jewish communities around the world organized vigils and rallies in support of Israel. In Warsaw, Poland’s chief rabbi led a multi-confessional prayer for peace, while France’s Jewish community gathered at Paris’s largest synagogue for the Sabbath.
Security concerns led to the closure of Jewish schools in the Netherlands and London. In response, police in London conducted extra patrols, visiting schools, synagogues, and mosques, reflecting a surge in hate crimes, particularly antisemitism.
