Thousands worldwide protest Middle East war as October 7 anniversary unfolds

Major European capitals saw large demonstrations as tens of thousands of both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli activists took to the streets, demanding an end to the Gaza conflict, one year after the war started.

Thousands of protesters rallied in major cities around the globe on Saturday, urging an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the wider Middle East as the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel approaches.

Approximately 40,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London, while thousands gathered in Paris, Rome, Manila, Cape Town, and New York City. In Washington, protesters rallied near the White House, criticizing U.S. military support for Israel's campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

In New York's Times Square, demonstrators shouted slogans such as, "Gaza, Lebanon, you will rise; the people are by your side." They carried signs calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

In Jakarta, Indonesia's capital and the largest Muslim-majority country, at least 1,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators assembled near the U.S. embassy on Sunday, urging Washington to cease its arms supply to Israel.

In London, counter-protesters waved Israeli flags as pro-Palestinian marchers passed by, leading to 15 arrests, although police did not clarify the affiliations of those detained. 

In Rome, police deployed tear gas and water cannons after clashes erupted, with around 6,000 protesters marching in defiance of a ban in the city center ahead of the October 7 anniversary. 

Meanwhile, in Berlin, about 1,000 demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted, "One Year of Genocide," in reference to the ongoing allegations of genocide against Israel at the World Court, which Israel denies. German protesters also condemned what they viewed as police brutality against pro-Palestinian activists, while supporters of Israel rallied against increasing antisemitism, resulting in confrontations between police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

The conflict in Gaza escalated when Hamas militants from Palestine launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 others, according to Israeli reports.

In retaliation, Israel initiated a military offensive on Gaza, which has reportedly resulted in nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry. This assault has devastated the region, displacing almost the entire population of 2.3 million and leading to a severe hunger crisis.

In the past year, the extensive violence and destruction in Gaza have sparked significant global protests, including prolonged demonstrations at U.S. college campuses in support of Palestine. Concerns have been raised about antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric surrounding these protests.

While the U.S. and its allies have endorsed Israel's right to self-defense, Israel has faced considerable international criticism for its actions in Gaza and its attacks on Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims his government is working to prevent a repeat of the October 7 Hamas assault.

The war in Gaza has spread regionally, involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. Israel has intensified its campaign in Lebanon recently, while Iran launched a missile attack on Israel this week, which Israel has yet to address.

In Paris, Lebanese-French protestor Houssam Houssein said: "We fear a regional war, because there are tensions with Iran at the moment, and perhaps with Iraq and Yemen." Houssein added: "We really need to stop the war because it's now become unbearable." 

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Israel Palestine Gaza Lebanon War