Protesters across the Mideast, Asia, Europe and the US condemn Israel’s brutal offensive in the Gaza Strip
ANKARA — Tens of thousands of protesters rallied across the Middle East and in parts of Asia, Europe and the United States on Friday in support of the besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the condemnation of brutal Israeli forces.
In Turkey, crowds gathered outside mosques chanting against Israel and saluting Hamas. In the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, 46-year-old business owner Mikail Bakan said: “All the Muslim World needs to be one against Israel.”
In Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, youths clashed with the Israeli military.
A huge Palestinian flag was passed overhead at a protest in Rome, and demonstrations took place in other European cities including in Braband in Denmark and in Berlin, where some protesters were also detained.
Germany and France had banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations and several Western countries had stepped up security at synagogues and Jewish schools fearing that protests could lead to violence.
Hamas, which rules Gaza, urged Palestinians to rise up in protest against Israel’s bombardment of the blockaded enclave, calling on them to march on Al-Aqsa Mosque.
People rally in support of Palestinians in Vancouver, Canada. — Photo by Muhammad Aslam Ansari
The compound in East Jerusalem’s walled Old City is Islam’s third holiest site after Makkah and Madinah, and the most sacred to Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.
Last weekend’s assault by Hamas on Israeli communities killed at least 1,300 people.
Israel has since been hammering Gaza with airstrikes and artillery fire and more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed. A ground invasion appears to be imminent.
Demonstrators in the US showed solidarity with both sides in the conflict as major cities from New York City to Los Angeles reinforced their police presence in Jewish and Muslim neighbourhoods.
In Washington, a rally supporting Israel and the American Jewish community drew about 200 people at the city’s Freedom Plaza, in view of the Capitol complex, where police had erected protective fencing the night before.
In New York, throngs of protesters assembled near Times Square, demanding Palestinian independence and decrying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In Baghdad, tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied in central Tahrir Square, waving Palestinian flags and burning the Israeli flag while chanting anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans.
“We are ready to join the fight and rid the Palestinians of the Israeli atrocities,” said Muntadhar Kareem, 25, a teacher. He was dressed in a white shroud, like most of the protesters, to symbolise their readiness to fight to the death.
State-organised rallies were held across Iran — whose government is Hamas’ main backer and one of Israel’s principal foes — in support of the militant group, state TV reported.
“Death to Israel. Death to Zionism!” shouted demonstrators, many carrying Palestinian flags and those of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem told a protest in Lebanon, the group was “fully ready” to contribute to the fighting. The group has already clashed with Israel across the Lebanese border in the past week.
In Indonesia, influential Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir joined dozens of people in a march against Israel in the Javanese city of Solo.
In the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, activists protested against Israel’s actions after Friday prayers at the main mosque. Members of Japan’s Muslim community demonstrated near the Israeli embassy in Tokyo, holding signs and chanting “Israel, terrorist” and “Free Palestine”.
In Sri Lanka, protesters held up signs saying, “Palestine you will never walk alone”. Protesters also took to the streets in Bulgaria, Yemen, Cape Town, India’s Kashmir region, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Egypt.
On Thursday night, French police fired teargas and water cannon to break up a banned rally in Paris in support of the Palestinians. The government banned pro-Palestinian protests, saying they were likely to lead to public disorder. — Reuters
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Cover photo: People rally in support of Palestinians in Montreal. — Reuters
