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."
Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest defense company, has secured a $130 million contract to supply advanced rocket munitions to an undisclosed European country.
Israeli citizens have protested outside the Knesset and Prime Minister’s residence against a controversial law that would alter the judicial appointment committee, a move critics warn could shift power within the judiciary and spark a constitutional crisis.
The Houthi group in Yemen claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone attacks, targeting Ben Gurion airport in Israel and U.S. warships in the Red Sea.
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
Brazil has named automotive industry executive Dan Ioschpe as its official “climate champion” for the COP30 summit, to be held in Belém this November.
Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared what he called “Liberation Day”, announcing a raft of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — the most expansive use of trade powers in modern American history.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared what he called “Liberation Day”, announcing a raft of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — the most expansive use of trade powers in modern American history.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, declaring that the Arctic island “belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Taiwan has reported a sharp increase in Chinese military activity as Beijing concluded two days of war games around the island, intensifying tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Hunter Biden has voluntarily surrendered his license to practice law in Washington, D.C., following criminal convictions that raised questions about his professional eligibility.
Brazil has named automotive industry executive Dan Ioschpe as its official “climate champion” for the COP30 summit, to be held in Belém this November.
Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared what he called “Liberation Day”, announcing a raft of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — the most expansive use of trade powers in modern American history.
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