Global Protests Israel-Hamas War Anniversary
Thousands of protesters take to the streets around the world ahead of the anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war
On Saturday, widespread protests erupted globally, with thousands demanding an end to the violence in Gaza as the conflict approaches its first anniversary. Major demonstrations took place in cities including London, Paris, Rome, and New York City, where protesters criticized U.S. support for Israel and called for solidarity with Gaza.
The ongoing Israeli military offensive has resulted in nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths and severe humanitarian crises in Gaza, sparking outrage and accusations of genocide. While international diplomatic efforts have failed to achieve a ceasefire, tensions continue to rise, with increased security measures in the U.S. and concerns over potential regional escalations. Counter-protests also occurred, highlighting divisions over the conflict and rising anti-Semitism.
Key Concepts
- Thousands of protesters gathered worldwide to demand an end to violence in Gaza as the conflict nears its first anniversary.
- Approximately 40,000 demonstrators marched in central London, with significant protests also occurring in cities like Paris, Rome, and New York City.
- Protests in Washington criticized U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in the ongoing conflict.
- The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has resulted in nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread displacement of residents.
- Demonstrators in London expressed frustration over the British government’s arms supply to Israel amid rising tensions.
- Clashes occurred in Rome between protesters and police, who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
- Protests in Berlin commemorated the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack, highlighting ongoing violence in the region.
- Activists in Manila clashed with riot police during a protest against U.S. support for Israel.
- Concerns over rising anti-Semitism were voiced by supporters of Israel during the protests.
- International diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza have so far been unsuccessful.
- Hamas seeks a resolution to end the conflict, while Israel insists hostilities will cease only with Hamas’s complete elimination.
- Anticipated global demonstrations are expected to continue in response to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities around the world on Saturday to demand an end to the bloodshed in Gaza and the Middle East as Israel’s war in the Palestinian enclave approaches its first anniversary next Monday.
About 40,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London, and thousands of other protesters gathered in Paris, Rome, Manila, Cape Town and New York City. Demonstrations were also held near the White House in Washington to protest against US support for its ally Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Protesters in New York City’s Times Square wore traditional black and white Middle Eastern headscarves and chanted, “Gaza, Lebanon, you will stand up, and the people will be with you.” They held banners demanding an arms embargo on Israel.
The latest bloodshed in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict stems from an attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli statistics, the attack killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.
The subsequent Israeli military offensive on Gaza has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, led to a hunger crisis, and sparked accusations of genocide, which Israel denies.
“Unfortunately, despite our good intentions, the Israeli government has not listened, and they are just continuing their atrocities in Gaza and now in Lebanon and Yemen and possibly even in Iran,” said Agnes Kory, a protester in London.
She added: “And our government, our British government, unfortunately, pays lip service to it and continues to supply weapons to Israel.”
In London, counter-protesters waved Israeli flags and rubbed shoulders with pro-Palestinian marchers. Local police said 15 people were arrested during the protests but did not specify which side the arrests were from.
In Rome, police fired tear gas and water cannons after clashes broke out as around 6,000 protesters defied a ban and marched through the city center, taking to the streets ahead of the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
In Berlin, about 1,000 protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted, “One year since the genocide.”
German demonstrators also criticized what they called police violence against pro-Palestinian protesters, while Israeli supporters in Berlin protested against rising anti-Semitism. Clashes broke out between police and pro-Palestinian protesters.
In Manila, activists staged a demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in the Philippine capital against Washington’s support for Israel, but they were blocked and clashed with riot police.
In Paris, Houssam Houssein, a French-Lebanese protester, said: “We are afraid of a regional war because of the current increase in tensions with Iran, and perhaps also Iraq and Yemen.” He added: “We really need to stop the war because it has become unbearable now.”
The scale of killing and destruction in Gaza over the past year has sparked the largest protests in recent years around the world, including in the United States, where pro-Palestinian college campuses have seen weeks of protests.
Ahead of the October 7 anniversary, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised briefing: “We are ready to increase our forces to prepare for this day” because of the possibility of a “homeland attack” by then.
U.S. government agencies warned Friday that the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack could prompt some individuals to commit violent acts, and officials in some states, including New York, stepped up security measures out of an abundance of caution.
International diplomacy, backed by the United States, has so far failed to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas wants a deal to end the war, while Israel says the fighting can only end if Hamas is eliminated.
More demonstrations are expected to take place around the world over the weekend.
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