Thousands of protesters around the world took to the streets this weekend, raising their voices for peace in the Middle East 🌍✊. From London to New York, and from Jakarta to Cape Town, people came together demanding an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the wider region.
In London, approximately 40,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through the heart of the city, while in Paris, Rome, Manila, and New York City, similar scenes unfolded. Near the White House in Washington, D.C., protesters gathered to voice their opposition to U.S. support for military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.
At New York's Times Square, chants of \"Gaza, Lebanon you will rise, the people are by your side\" echoed through the streets 🗽. Protesters held banners calling for an arms embargo against Israel.
The conflict intensified after Palestinian Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in tragic loss of life and hostages taken. Israel's subsequent military response has led to significant casualties in Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry. The region has been devastated, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents and causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
In Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital 🇮🇩, over a thousand pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the U.S. embassy on Sunday morning, urging Washington to halt weapons supplies to Israel. Similar demonstrations were planned in several other cities throughout the day.
London saw counter-demonstrators waving Israeli flags, leading to tensions as the pro-Palestinian marchers passed by. Police reported 15 arrests on the sidelines of the protests.
Rome witnessed clashes between protesters and police, with tear gas and water cannons deployed. Despite a ban on marches in the city center ahead of the October 7 anniversary, around 6,000 protesters defied the restrictions.
In Berlin, approximately 1,000 demonstrators with Palestinian flags chanted \"One Year of Tragedy.\" The protests highlighted concerns over rising tensions and the impact of the conflict. Scuffles broke out between police and protesters, amplifying worries about social unrest.
Over the past year, the scale of the conflict has spurred some of the largest global demonstrations in recent times. Advocates have raised concerns over antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric emerging in some protests and counter-protests 🕊️. Rights groups warn of increasing threats against Muslim and Jewish communities worldwide.
The United States and other allies have supported Israel's right to self-defense, but Israel has faced international criticism over its actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states that the government is acting to prevent future attacks.
The conflict has also spread through the region, involving groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. Recent escalations have heightened fears of a broader regional war, with demonstrators expressing deep concern over the situation.
Lebanese-French protester Houssam Houssein in Paris voiced his fears: \"We really need to stop the war because it's now become unbearable.\"
In Manila, activists clashed with police after being blocked from protesting in front of the U.S. embassy 🇵🇭. The demonstrators opposed Washington's support for Israel, highlighting the global scale of the unrest.
The voices calling for peace grow louder as communities worldwide stand in solidarity, hoping for an end to the conflict and a better future for all ✨.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
