PARIS (AP) – Crowds took part in pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests and vigils across Europe, North Africa and Asia Sunday, on the eve of the first anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Sunday’s events followed large rallies held in several European cities on Saturday, including London, Berlin, Paris and Rome. Other events are scheduled throughout the week, with an expected peak on Memorial Day Monday.
Hundreds of pro-Israel demonstrators were escorted by police during a march near Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, holding a banner reading “No to all anti-Semitism” at the famous Unter den Linden. departed.
As many Israeli flags waved overhead, some Jewish leaders led songs about “shalom” (peace) and marchers chanted “Free Gaza from Hamas!” Regarding the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip, he said, “Bring them home.”
Thousands of people gathered in Paris for a Jewish remembrance event featuring speakers and artists who paid tribute to those killed in the October 7 attacks and stood by those still in captivity.
Ayelet Samerano, mother of Jonathan Samerano, who was shot and kidnapped at the Supernova Festival on October 7th, said: Together we are stronger…no enemy can defeat us. With this unity and strength, we will bring our loved ones home. ”
A similar vigil was held in London, with thousands of people gathering in Hyde Park. Crowds chanted “let them go home” and waved Israeli flags and placards with the faces of hostages still held by Hamas.
Approximately 1,000 people gathered in Brazil’s capital Brasilia for a pro-Israel demonstration in response to a joint call from Israeli Ambassador Daniel Zohar Zonshine and the Council of Evangelical Pastors of the Federal District of Brazil.
Demonstrators in cars and motorbikes gathered at the television tower in central Brasilia before heading to Ministries Esplanade to pray for the victims of October 7th.
large-scale protests
Meanwhile, people took to the streets in massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations from Pakistan to Morocco.
Thousands of people marched past parliament in Morocco’s capital, Rabat, demanding the government withdraw from the 2020 agreement that formalized relations with Israel.
Abdelilah Miftah, from Casablanca, said Palestinians and Lebanese are currently facing “Israeli arrogance”.
“Israel does not respect any law and is waging a war of aggression against it,” Miftah said.
The protests in Rabat were the largest in recent months. The Moroccan government expressed opposition to the war in Gaza, but maintained relations with Israel.
A large pro-Palestinian rally was held in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi by Jamaat-e-Islam, the country’s largest religious party. The group’s director, Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, said the protests were “a wake-up call for the world.” …This protest is a message that the United States is supporting terrorists. ”
Early Sunday morning, thousands of people rallied in Australia in support of the Palestinians and Lebanon. A pro-Israel rally was also held in Melbourne.
Samantha Ghazal said she came to the Sydney rally because “I can’t believe that our government is doing nothing while allowing violent extremist states with impunity.” …We watch acts of violence take place on livestreams, and they do nothing. ”
In Melbourne, supporters of Israel held up posters depicting Israeli hostages who are still missing.
“I feel like we haven’t done anything to deserve this,” said Jeremy Wenstein, one of the participants. “We are simply supporting our brothers and sisters who are fighting a war that we did not invite.”
Enhanced security alerts
Security forces in several countries have raised alert levels in major cities amid concerns that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could spark new terrorist attacks in Europe and that some protests could turn violent. warned that it would increase
France’s interior minister will hold a special security meeting on Sunday night to assess the “terrorist threat,” the ministry announced.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “full solidarity” with police on Sunday, a day after security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse violent protesters in Rome.
Meloni firmly condemned the clashes between several pro-Palestinian demonstrators and law enforcement officers, saying it was “unacceptable that dozens of police officers were injured during demonstrations.”
According to local media, 30 police officers and four demonstrators were injured in clashes at a pro-Palestinian march in Rome on Saturday. In central Rome’s Piazza Ostiense, hooded protesters threw stones, bottles and even road signs at police, who responded with water cannon and tear gas.
Pope Francis celebrated Sunday’s Angelus prayer from the Vatican by announcing a new appeal for peace “on all sides.” Francis also called on the audience to remember the many hostages still being held in Gaza and called for their “immediate release.”
The Pope called for a day of prayer and fasting on Monday, the first anniversary of the attack.
Risk of regional escalation
On October 7 last year, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages, sparking a war with Israel that crushed much of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. More than half were women and children.
Nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive. As the region braces for further escalation, Israelis have experienced attacks including missiles from Iran and Hezbollah, explosive drones from Yemen, and shootings and stabbings.
In late September, Israel shifted some of its focus to Hezbollah, which holds significant power in parts of southern Lebanon and other parts of the country, and used pager explosions, airstrikes, and eventually an invasion of Lebanon to radicalize the country. attacked the faction.
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Zampano reported from Rome. Associated Press writers Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco, and Sylvia Hoy in London contributed to this report.
