The protests spanned countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia, as well as various European nations.
Demonstrators voiced their concerns over the international community's silence regarding the ongoing atrocities in Palestine, criticizing world leaders for their complicity in what they describe as Israel’s war crimes. Many protesters are demanding a resolution to the long-standing conflict, which has left countless Palestinians vulnerable and in peril.
In the United States, rallies unfolded from New York and Washington, D.C., on the East Coast to Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle on the West Coast. Protesters expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire as the conflict approaches its one-year mark. In Austin, Texas, demonstrators marched through downtown holding Palestinian flags and placards denouncing Israeli actions.
In the United Kingdom, tens of thousands gathered in central London, with significant turnout in Russell Square and Bedford Square, despite a heavy police presence. Meanwhile, cities across France, including Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg, witnessed similar pro-Palestinian rallies. In Spain, thousands rallied in Madrid, brandishing signs that called for a boycott of Israel.
Demonstrators also targeted the Israeli embassy in Athens, Greece, which was heavily secured by local authorities. In Berlin, Germany, thousands chanted “Free Palestine, Free Lebanon, free Gaza,” and carried a large Palestinian flag as they marched past the Social Democrats' party headquarters.
In Italy, a pro-Palestinian protest in Rome turned violent, with some demonstrators throwing bottles and firecrackers at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Protesters condemned the Italian government for its support of Israeli actions and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people.
In South Africa, the Philippines, and Indonesia, pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in Cape Town, Manila, and Jakarta, respectively. In Indonesia, thousands demonstrated in front of the U.S. Embassy, while another rally took place in Medan at a historic landmark.
In Australia, a large group of protesters marched in Sydney, expressing anger towards the government, specifically targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Chants of “shame” and “Free, free Palestine, hands off Lebanon” echoed through the crowd.
In Dublin, Ireland, protesters rallied to demand an end to Israeli attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the recent escalations in Lebanon. Organized by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the demonstration featured Palestinian flags and slogans criticizing Western governments for supporting Israeli aggression.
Another significant rally took place in Basel, Switzerland, where thousands participated in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
These global protests are part of a planned wave of demonstrations to demand an end to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has reportedly claimed the lives of approximately 42,000 individuals, mostly women and children, in Gaza alone over the past year. As the one-year anniversary of the Israeli regime's actions approaches, further commemorations and protests are anticipated on October 7, marking the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Storm by Palestinian resistance groups in response to past and present grievances against the Israeli government. (ILKHA)