Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of major cities around the world to condemn Israeli military operations in Gaza, as the war in the Palestinian territory approaches its first anniversary.
In the Indonesian capital Jakarta, more than 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the US embassy, demanding that Washington, Israel’s main military supplier and ally, stop sending weapons to Israel.
“We appeal to the hearts of all world leaders to stand up, move and free Palestinians from oppression by Israel,” one protester told Tel Aviv Tribune.
“This is no longer a religious issue but truly a humanitarian issue – not just for Muslims but for everyone who claims to be,” said another protester, holding his child on his shoulders and brandishing a Palestinian flag.
In the Philippines, dozens of left-wing activists demonstrated near the US Embassy in Manila, where police blocked them from approaching the beach resort.
In Cape Town, South Africa, hundreds of people marched to Parliament chanting: “Israel is a racist state!” » and “We are all Palestinians!” » Pro-Gaza marches were also planned for Saturday in Johannesburg and Durban.
In Caracas, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demonstrated outside the United Nations headquarters for Venezuela, waving a giant Palestinian flag. They delivered a petition to the UN calling for an end to the “genocide” of the Palestinians.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 200 prisoners, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel’s subsequent military attack on Gaza killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The war in the besieged enclave has displaced almost all of its 2.3 million residents, who have been subjected to widespread famine and disease, leading to allegations of genocide against Israel by several countries before the court International Criminal Court (ICC).
Police attack demonstrators in Rome
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Rome, the Italian capital, as their demonstration turned violent, officials said.
Several thousand people demonstrated peacefully on Saturday afternoon, chanting “Free Palestine, free Lebanon!” » They waved Palestinian flags and banners calling for an immediate end to the conflict.
The rally took place peacefully until a smaller group tried to push it towards the center of the city, despite a ban by local authorities who had refused to authorize the demonstrations, citing security problems. security.
Some protesters, dressed in black and with their faces covered, threw rocks, bottles and paper bombs at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons, eventually dispersing the crowd.
At least 30 law enforcement officers and three protesters were injured during the clashes, local media reported.
“Pretend to pretend”
Some 40,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through central London on Saturday, one of the largest gatherings in a year.
“Unfortunately, despite all our good will, the Israeli government is paying no attention and simply continues its atrocities in Gaza, now also in Lebanon and Yemen, and probably also in Iran,” said Agnes Kory, a protester in London , told the Reuters news agency.
“And our government, our British government, unfortunately only pays lip service and continues to supply weapons to Israel,” she added.
In Dublin, several hundred people took to the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting: “Ceasefire now!” »
In France, thousands of people marched in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Strasbourg to express their solidarity with the Palestinians.
Franco-Lebanese protester Houssam Houssein told Reuters in Paris that he feared a “regional war, because there are currently tensions with Iran, and perhaps with Iraq and Yemen.”
“We really need to stop the war because it has now become unbearable,” he added.
Tel Aviv Tribune’s Natacha Butler said from the Place de la République protest site in Paris that demonstrators expressed frustration that the war has been going on for more than a year and that “the international community is not doing everything simply nothing.”
“They believe that France is not doing enough to protect civilians and people who are really suffering,” she said.
About 5,000 people joined a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Madrid, holding signs with messages such as “Boycott Israel!”
In Washington, more than 1,000 protesters demonstrated outside the White House on Saturday, demanding that the United States stop providing weapons and aid to Israel.
A man attempted to set himself on fire during the protest, managing to set his left arm ablaze before bystanders and police put out the flames, the AFP news agency reported.
In the northern German city of Hamburg, around 950 people staged a peaceful protest, many waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags or chanting “Stop the genocide!” » reported the DPA news agency, citing a police count.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration in the Swiss city of Basel brought together several thousand people, the Keystone-ATS news agency reported.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters also marched toward the Israeli embassy in Athens, which was heavily guarded by riot police.
Other rallies and candlelight vigils are planned for Sunday in cities across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas.
