UPDATES
Reuters
Sun, October 6, 2024
PARIS (Reuters) - Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested in cities around the world on Sunday on the eve of the first anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.
Demonstrations were held in major cities from Jakarta to Istanbul to Rabat, and followed protests on Saturday in major European capitals as well as Washington and New York.
"We are here to support the Palestinian resistance," said protester Ahmet Unal in Istanbul, where thousands assembled.
In Paris, the Jewish community gathered on Sunday to mark one year since the attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, when militants attacked southern Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Israel's subsequent military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, and laid waste to the enclave.
Israel launched air attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs overnight and early on Sunday, the most intense bombardment of the Lebanese capital since Israel sharply escalated its campaign against Iranian-backed group Hezbollah last month.
In Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, at least 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on Sunday morning near the U.S. embassy demanding that Washington stop supplying weapons to Israel.
In Sydney, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered ahead of the Oct. 7 anniversary, chanting and waving Lebanese and Palestinian flags amid a heavy police presence.
One person was arrested for waving an Israeli flag with a swastika in the middle of it instead of the Star of David.
In Rabat, thousands of Moroccans marched, calling for a halt to the violence in Gaza and Lebanon, in one of the largest protests in the country since the beginning of the war in Gaza.
Protesters demanded an end to Morocco's diplomatic ties with Israel, chanting "no to normalisation, Palestine is not for sale," referring to Morocco's establishing of diplomatic relations with Israel.
Over the past year, the scale of the killing and destruction in Gaza has prompted some of the biggest global demonstrations in years, including in the U.S., which saw weeks of pro-Palestinian college campus encampments.
Advocates have raised concerns over antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric in some protests and counter-protests related to the conflict. Rights advocates have warned about rising threats against Jews and Muslims around the world.
The United States and other allies have supported Israel's right to self-defence, but Israel has faced wide international condemnation over its actions in Gaza, and now over its bombarding of Lebanon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government is acting to prevent a repeat of the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas.
(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters rally in L.A. ahead of Oct. 7 anniversary
Michael Blackshire, Christopher Goffard
Sat, October 5, 2024
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally Saturday in Pershing Square in Los Angeles to protest Israel's ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)
Hundreds of demonstrators held a pro-Palestinian rally in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, chanting "Free Palestine" and "Long live the intifada" as they protested Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon while marching from Pershing Square to City Hall.
The largely peaceful demonstration came two days before the anniversary of Oct. 7, when Hamas militants in Gaza attacked Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.
Across Los Angeles, the anniversary will be marked by commemorations for the victims, candle-lighting ceremonies, demonstrations and counter-demonstrations.
Over the last year, Israeli military operations in Gaza — and more recently, against the Hamas-allied militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon — have been the focus of protests. More than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died in Israeli retaliatory attacks, with more than half being women and children, according to the Gazan Health Ministry.
There appeared to be as many as a thousand people at the demonstration Saturday, though police did not give a crowd estimate. The scene was filled with Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Speakers called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel and a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon.
Read more: Tens of thousands join pro-Palestinian rallies in Europe amid high alert as Oct. 7 anniversary nears
At City Hall, a protest leader led the crowd in a chant of "There is only one solution, intifada revolution!" Banners read "End the Siege of Gaza" and "Hands Off Yemen."
Police were not a conspicuous presence at the rally, nor was the presence of counterprotesters. Los Angeles police said there was one arrest: Alex Guillen, 26, was detained in connection with multiple acts of vandalism during the march, officials said Sunday.
An L.A. resident, Guillen was observed spray-painting "Free Palestine!" on the LAPD headquarters building downtown, and he was seen also seen committing other acts of vandalism, police said. At the time of his apprehension, he was in possession of two black spray-paint canisters, police said.
A demonstrator holds a headless doll at the rally. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)
Large pro-Palestinian crowds gathered around the world Saturday, with protests involving thousands in European cities. Protests became violent in Rome, and police responded with tear gas and water cannons.
In a joint public service announcement, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned that the Oct. 7 anniversary "may be a motivating factor for violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators to engage in violence or threaten public safety."
Times staff writer Daniel Miller contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thousands gather in Australian cities for pro-Palestine demonstrations ahead of 7 October anniversary
Vishwam Sankaran
Sun, October 6, 2024
Thousands gather in Australian cities for pro-Palestine demonstrations ahead of 7 October anniversary
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets across Australia ahead of the 7 October anniversary, marking a year since Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
Demonstrations took place in Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. The protests came amid concerns that the conflict could escalate into a broader war in the Middle East.
Protesters filled the streets in several cities a day before the first anniversary of the 7 October attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, which killed about 1200 people.
Tensions are rising between Israel and Iran as Israeli defence forces prepare for further ground operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Protesters, including children wearing coloured keffiyehs and draped in Palestinian flags, were seen calling for “Free Palestine”.
Many urged the Australian government to impose sanctions on Israel for its alleged war crimes in the Middle East.
“I’m sick and tired of the complicity of this government,” Rafah Chaleb, a Palestinian in Australia was quoted as saying by The Guardian. She added that her community feels “perpetually sad”.
“We just want peace, and we want Australia to put pressure on Israel … any small gesture would go a long way to improving the wellbeing of our community and to justice,” she said.
Another protester, idetified just by her first name Kamila said: “It’s about humanity, and I think as humanity – as a collective humanity – I think we’ve failed, and that’s why I’m here today.”
Victoria police said they arrested four protesters “for public order-related matters”, ABC News reported.
Pro-Palestine supporters chant slogan as they march through CBD on Sunday in Sydney, Australia (Getty Images)
In speeches, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese was the target of verbal attacks for the government’s lack of action against the alleged ongoing genocide in Gaza with many shouting “shame, shame Albanese”.
Since Israel’s invasion of Gaza on 7 October, at least 41,870 Palestinians have been killed and 97,166 others injured, according to Gaza’s Hmas-run health ministry.
Pro-Palestine protests in Sydney proceed with rally on Sunday (Getty Images)
During this period, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have resulted in the deaths of at least 678 Palestinians.
In just two weeks, Israeli ground operations and air strikes near southern Beirut have killed over 2000 people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Pro-Palestine gather at Flinders Street Station during an organised protest on Sunday (Getty Images)
Millions have been displaced with tens of thousands migrating to bordering Syria since Israel expanded its invasion of Lebanon.
Palestinian health officials say at least another 20 people were killed on Saturday after Israel sent army tanks into areas there for the first time in months.
While Israel maintains that its attacks were “precise strikes on Hamas terrorists”, Gaza officials accuse Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and mosques.
The Hamas-run government in Gaza says Israel struck down 27 houses, schools, and displacement shelters across Gaza over the last two days.
Pro-Palestine supporters gather before march through CBD at Hyde Park on Sunday in Sydney, Australia (Getty Images)
The US and other allies have supported Israel’s right to self-defence, but say more must be done to prevent the conflict from spreading into a wider war in the Middle East.
Protesters also took to the streets in major cities across the world on Saturday.
Protesters march during a Pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne, Victoria on Sunday (EPA)
About 40,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through central London, while thousands gathered in Paris, Cape Town, Jakarta, New York City, and near the White House in Washington.
Demonstrators demanded an end to US support for Israel in its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.
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