2023 Israel–Hamas war protests

2023 Israel–Hamas war protests
The 2023 Israel–Hamas war sparked protests, demonstrations, and vigils around the world. These events focused on a variety of issues related to the conflict, including demands for a ceasefire, an end to the blockade, returning Israeli hostages, protesting war crimes, and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Protests against Israeli action in Gaza were notably large across the Middle East and North Africa, particularly following the al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion.
In some European countries, public support for Palestinian human rights was criminalized, with countries such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Hungary restricting pro-Palestinian political speech. The conflict also sparked large protests at Israeli and U.S. embassies around the world. On 28 October, Mondoweiss claimed the protests against Israeli actions in Gaza were the largest anti-war protests in the United States since the Iraq War protests.
Local protests
Israel
Israeli citizens in Israel have participated in public protests of war policies. Israelis and Jews abroad have participated in protests both supporting and protesting the Israeli response in the war. A hostage-solidarity rally in Tel Aviv on 14 October criticized the government's handling of the war and called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign. On 28 October, a mob of Israelis gathered at Netanya Academic College chanting “death to Arabs” at Palestinian students living in the campus dorms.
Palestine
On 12 October, Hamas called for Palestinians to protest in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, encouraging demonstrations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They also called for protests in neighboring countries and around the world, urging Muslim communities to rally in support of Gaza.
After the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion, protests broke out in the West Bank in support of Gaza. On 27 October, hundreds rallied in Ramallah to support Gaza, despite fears of settler violence. On 1 November, a general strike was observed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in opposition to the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Palestinians abroad, including in the United States, protested against the blockade and bombing of Gaza.
Africa
Algeria
Protests were held in Algiers on 19 October denouncing US President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab countries that have normalized relations with Israel for "complicity" in the violence in Gaza.
South Africa
Hundreds marched in Cape Town on 13 October to protest against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. In an address to the crowd. Mandla Mandela, a grandson of Nelson Mandela called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak on Palestine at the UN General Assembly and act on the crisis.
Tunisia
Thousands gathered outside the French embassy to protest Western support for Israel, chanting that "the French and the Americans are partners in the attack" against Palestinians. Some expressed support for Hamas, by shouting "Dear (Ezzedine) al-Qassam (Brigades), destroy Tel Aviv", in reference to the movement's military wing. A similar protest occurred outside the US embassy in Tunis’ northern suburbs. An estimated 3,000 individuals marched through the streets of Tunis to express their support for Palestinians affected by the Israeli attacks.
Asia
Afghanistan
On 13 October, demonstrators gathered at the Id Gah Mosque in Kabul to express support for Palestine.
Bangladesh
Activists from Islami Andolan Bangladesh staged protests against Israel's military actions in Gaza and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people in front of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka.
India
On 13 October, pro-Palestinian protests erupted in three cities. In Hyderabad, people chanted slogans like "Long live Palestine" and "Gaza will never die" and police, upon arriving on the scene, broke up the protest and removed demonstrators from the spot. In Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, protesters chanted slogans against Israel and the United States, one of which was "We stand with Palestine". To avoid unrest, the main mosque in Srinagar was closed during Friday prayers. In Lucknow, a cleric accused Israel of committing war crimes on Palestine and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the war and bring a halt to the hostilities in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian rallies experienced a "crackdown" by Indian police, but Pro-Israeli protests were allowed.
Indonesia
Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, one of the suspects of the 2002 Bali bombings, joined protests in Solo, Java. In a speech with protesters holding Palestinian flags, he said that "we cannot be weak in facing Israel," and that "hopefully, amongst these young people, there are some ready to be sent to (Palestinian territories)." On 20 October, around 300 members of the Solidarity Committee for Palestine and Yemen held a pro-Palestine protest in front of the US Embassy in Jakarta and later marched into the UN Office. The Indonesian Coalition to Defend Baitul Maqdis carried a protest in solidarity for Palestine on 28 October 2023 in front of the US Embassy in Jakarta. In Palu, 500 people held a protest expressing support for Palestine in front of a McDonald's restaurant on 27 October and demanded to meet the management.
Japan
Members of the Japanese Muslim community demonstrated in front of the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo holding signs and chanting slogans such as "Israel, Terrorists" and "Free Palestine."
Malaysia
1,000 Muslims marched in Kuala Lumpur following Friday prayers to demonstrate support for Palestine.
Pakistan
On 13 October, public gatherings expressing support for Palestine were held following Friday prayers. Various political and religious groups organized numerous protests in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and the capital Islamabad. American and Israeli flags were burned in the demonstrations.
Philippines
In Mindanao, protests were held in Marawi in solidarity with the Palestinians on 10 October. On 16 October, 12,000–25,000 protesters took part in the Bangsamoro Rally for Free Palestine in Cotabato City. They also called for neighboring Arab countries to open their borders to refugees and for the United States to take a neutral stance on the issue.
Various leftist organizations, including Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party, also launched separate demonstrations in support of Palestine and urged for the end of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. This was followed by a demonstration by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan by 500 protesters at the Israeli embassy in Taguig on 31 October reiterating their support for Palestine, condemnation against genocide and what it called the subservience of the Philippine government to the United States. In response, Israeli ambassador Ilan Fluss insisted on Israel's right to defend itself and that the conflict was against Hamas rather than Palestine. He equated Hamas to ISIS.
Filipino Christians from various churches and organizations held a prayer vigil at the Philippine-Israel Friendship Marker at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City in solidarity with Israel and civilian casualties.
Sri Lanka
Protesters held signs that read "Palestine you will never walk alone".
Europe
Albania
On 20 October, a rally was held in Skanderbeg Square in the capital Tirana in support of Palestine and the Palestinian people. Protestors condemned Israel's attacks on Palestinians and called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and for the implementation of the two-state solution.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 22 October, thousands marched in support of Gaza, chanting, "Yesterday Srebrenica, today Gaza," referring to the 1995 massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys.
Cyprus
On 15 October a pro-Palestinian protest was held in Larnaca. On 19 October, a protest in support of Gaza was held in Nicosia. Another pro-Palestinian protest was organised by the Cyprus Peace Council on 20 October attended by 2,000 protestors as well as MPs, mayors, the general secretary of AKEL and the Palestinian ambassador to Cyprus. On 17 October a pro-Israel rally was organised by the Israeli community.
France
In reaction to Khaled Meshaal's call for a "day of rage", the government put a prohibition on pro-Palestinian protests. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said that such gatherings were likely to cause disturbances to public order.
However, on the night of 12 October, police fired teargas and water cannons to break up a banned pro-Palestinian rally in Paris. This resulted in President Emmanuel Macron urging citizens to refrain from bringing the conflict home. The same day, the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions organized a pro-Israel rally.
On 14 October, French-Algerian journalist was arrested while covering a pro-Palestine protest in Paris. He told +972 Magazine that people were getting "strangled by the police", and that the police fined him for participating in an “illegal demonstration” despite showing his press card. He also claimed that the police threatened to break his legs if they saw him again at a protest.
On 22 October, France allowed its first authorized pro-Palestine rally, drawing 15,000 participants who chanted, "Gaza, Paris is with you."
Germany
In Berlin, authorities banned a pro-Palestinian rally from being held. A number of spontaneous demonstrations protesting the bombing of Gaza took place across the country, but were forcefully broken up by police.
Greece
On 12 October, 200 demonstrators gathered at Syntagma Square in Athens to show solidarity with Palestine. A day later, 2,000 protestors including Palestinians, members of Muslim communities, left-wing and anarchist groups marched towards the Israeli embassy. On 29 October, a crowd of 5,000 demonstrated in Athens, calling for an end to the "Gaza massacre."
Iceland
Pro-Palestinian protests were held at Austurvöllur in Reykjavík.
Ireland
Thousands of people marched in cities and towns across Ireland, including Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Ennis, Galway and Limerick in support of Palestine and against Israel's attacks on Gaza and the continuing occupation of Palestine.
Italy
Thousands of pro-Palestinians marched in Rome, carrying a large Palestinian flag and chanting slogans in support of Palestine.
Netherlands
A group of students rallied in The Hague on 13 October to show solidarity with Palestine, followed by a 15,000-strong pro-Palestinian protest in Amsterdam on 15 October. On 23 October, activists opposed to Israel's actions in Gaza occupied The Hague, demanding action against Benjamin Netanyahu." Their sign read "Netanyahu is a war criminal."
North Macedonia
On 20 October, citizens from different ethnicities such as Albanian, Macedonian, Turkish, Bosnian and Romani held a protest in the old part of the capital Skopje to show support and solidarity for the Palestinian people under the slogan "Don't be silent about the massacre".
Norway
On 14 October, thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators protested outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo. On 17 October, about 100 pro-Palestine demonstrators protested outside the Israeli embassy in Oslo shouting "Allahu akbar".
On 15 October, about 500 people attended a pro-Israel demonstration in Oslo arranged by With Israel for Peace. Among the speakers were politicians such as Progress Party leader Sylvi Listhaug.
Romania
On 12 October, a pro-Israel rally was organised in Bucharest by the Romanian Jewish community and the Israeli Embassy. It was attended by more than 600 people, including Health Minister Alexandru Rafila, former Defence Minister Vasile Dîncu, and opposition leader George Simion.
On 21 October, a pro-Palestine rally was held in Bucharest and attended by over 1,000 demonstrators.
Russia
In late October 2023, an anti-Israel mob stormed Uytash Airport in Makhachkala, Dagestan after the arrival of a flight from Tel Aviv, following messages spread via Telegram channels urging people to gather at the airport and prevent the landing of a plane. These messages were tied to rumors about refugees from Israel supposedly arriving in Dagestan. They were disseminated by the "Morning Dagestan" Telegram channel, associated with Russian-Ukrainian politician Ilya Ponomarev. 20 people were injured, among them nine police officers, of whom two were injured seriously. The passengers on the plane were unharmed. 150 suspects were identified, while 60 were detained.
The head of Dagestan, Sergey Melikov, called the incident a gross violation of the law. Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered a meeting of his top security officials, while his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov blamed the unrest on "outside interference". The Israeli government called on Russian authorities to protect Israelis and Jews in Russia.
Serbia
On 13 October, pro-Palestinian protests were organised in Novi Pazar and Novi Sad.
Spain
On 9 October, pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. On 13 October, protestors rallied at the Columbus Monument in Barcelona.
Switzerland
Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in front of the United Nations Office in Geneva.
Ukraine
Many Ukrainians have supported Israel, viewing the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel as similar to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's ambassador to Israel Mykhailo Brodskyy described Ukraine as the most pro-Israel country in Europe, and noted that rallies and gatherings in support of Israel occurred in the country despite prohibitions on gatherings in Ukraine due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
United Kingdom
Activists supporting Palestine faced allegations of antisemitism during their protests, leading to a climate of apprehension among Jewish groups. In London, thousands of individuals gathered to participate in vigils and protests. In Sheffield protestors tore down the Israeli flag from the Town hall and hoisted the Palestinian flag. At another rally in London on 14 October, thousands of Palestine supporters marched in solidarity with Palestine and demanded that Israel end its occupation of Palestinian land. The march started from the headquarters of the BBC and ended on Downing Street. On 21 October, an estimated 100,000 protesters in London marched against Israeli actions in Gaza. On 28 October, an estimated 500,000 marched in London to demand an immediate ceasefire.
Middle East
Bahrain
Worshippers at the Duraz mosque chanted "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" during Friday prayers. A march followed, with participants shouting anti-Israel slogans including "No to normalization!"
Egypt
On 11 October, it was reported that protesters chanted pro-Palestinian slogans and burned Israeli flags outside the Syndicate of Journalists' headquarters in Cairo. On 13 October, protestors gathered at Al-Azhar Mosque following Friday prayers chanting anti-Israel slogans. On 20 October, there were protests on the Egypt-Gaza border near Rafah. In Cairo, 43 people were reportedly arrested in an unauthorized pro-Palestine rally in Tahrir Square. Tens of thousands took to the streets of Cairo and other cities as authorities sought to manage the wave of public anger.
Iran
Multiple rallies were held supporting Hamas and against the Israeli bombing of Gaza. Many protesters flew Palestinian flags and ones for Hezbollah, chanting anti-Israeli slogans. State media presented those rallies as "screams of a common pain...The pain of the Zionist regime's (Israel) trampling on humanity." During a football match in Azadi Stadium, counter-protesters chanted an anti-Palestinian slogan. Counter-protesters also chanted anti-Palestinian slogans at the funeral of murdered filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui.
Iraq
On 13 October, thousands gathered in Liberation Square, Baghdad, waving Palestinian flags and burning Israeli flags while chanting anti-Israeli and anti-American slogans.In the capital of Iraq, the demonstrators gathered at a bridge leading to the Green Zone, the fortified government and diplomatic compound where the US embassy is based. On the other hand, a group of supporters held a sit-in at Iraq's Trebil border crossing with the country of Jordan, the organizers and Iraqi officials mentioned. Demonstrators in Baghdad vowed to keep up their protest "until the roads are opened in order to send aid" to Gaza.
Jordan
Riot police fired tear gas to disperse 500 pro-Palestinian protesters at a security checkpoint outside of Amman on 13 October, as they were heading to the border with the West Bank. Protests also emerged in Irbid and Zarqa, while anti-Israel marches were denied at the border areas in the Jordan Valley, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Lebanon
Demonstrations broke out across the country on 13 October, with protestors flying Hezbollah, LCP and SSNP flags while chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Following the explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital, demonstrators gathered at the US and French embassies in Beirut over their countries' support for Israel.
Syria
In Damascus, Palestinians from the Yarmouk camp rallied in support of their compatriots in Gaza.
Turkey
On 13 October, thousands of demonstrators crowded at Beyazit Square in Istanbul to show solidarity with Palestinians. Protests erupted in Ankara after the al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion.
Oman
US diplomatic officials indicated that there were calls for protests in Muscat on 19 and 20 October.
Yemen
In Houthi-controlled Sana'a, demonstrators waved both Yemeni and Palestinian flags and chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."
North America
Canada
Pro-Palestinian rallies occurred in major cities including Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver among others. On 30 October, Independent Jewish Voices staged sit-ins demanding a ceasefire at 17 Canadian politicians' offices, including Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.
Mexico
Pro-Palestinians gathered at the Israeli embassy in Mexico City.
United States
In the ten days after the attack, the US held more than four hundred related protests and vigils. There were an estimated 180,000 demonstrators and protestors, with roughly even numbers attending events related to Israeli and Palestinian concerns. US elected officials overwhelmingly attended more events in support of Israel. An estimated one-third of all anti-war protests were met with counter-protesters, who at times were violent.
East
Clashes between supporters of Israel and Palestine were reported at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in front of the Wilson Library on 12 October. In Massachusetts, the Students for Justice in Palestine organized a protest at Harvard University, several days after numerous students were doxxed for publicly supporting Palestine.
Jewish activists protested for a ceasefire on 16 October at the White House, saying Kaddish, singing Jewish songs, and chanting "Not in our name." 49 were arrested, 16 for blocking entrances and 33 for crossing safety barriers. On 18 October, about 300 Jewish protesters were arrested inside the Cannon House Office Building, from a pro-ceasefire demonstration including about 400 Jews and 25 rabbis. Three were arrested for assault. On 31 October, antiwar protesters interrupted a US Senate hearing where Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin requested billions of military aid for Israel.
In New York City, thousands peacefully demonstrated against the bombing in Gaza. A group of Jewish Voice for Peace protestors, including children of Holocaust survivors, were arrested outside Senator Chuck Schumer's home for protesting against the bombings in Gaza. Also in New York, a viral video from a pro-Israel protest showed protesters explicitly calling for genocide against Palestinians. At Brooklyn College, Republican New York City Council member Inna Vernikov of the 48th City Council District was arrested for bringing a gun to counterprotest a pro-Palestine rally. At Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, about 200 rallied on 18 October to draw attention to hostages held by Hamas. Protestors included many family members of hostages and local Jewish leaders.
On 26 October, a multiracial coalition of anti-war students protested Cooper Union in New York. A group of pro-Israeli protesters claimed they barricaded themselves in the library to hide from the "aggressive" protesters, but the New York Police Department noted this was untrue. Nevertheless, the narrative of the event told by the pro-Israel students was repeated by elected officials and media accounts, leading to condemnations from the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
West
A student demonstrating support for Palestine near the University of California, Los Angeles was reportedly threatened with a knife. On 14 October, thousands peacefully protested against the bombings in Gaza in Downtown Los Angeles. On 21 October, Los Angeles protestors opposing Israeli airstrikes denounced Netanyahu as a "war criminal."
In San Francisco, several hundred peaceful protesters marched on 15 October in support of Gaza. On 16 October, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins posted and then deleted a post on X where she called the demonstration of anti-war protestors a "pro-Hamas rally." On 18 October, high school students across San Francisco walked out of class in protest of the bombing of Gaza and to demand an immediate ceasefire. On 19 October, the San Francisco chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace chained themselves to the San Francisco Federal Building in protest of Israeli action in Gaza. On 28 October, around 15,000 protestors marched in San Francisco, shutting down the Central Freeway for more than an hour.
At the University of Arizona, a rally protesting against the bombing of Gaza was cancelled due to safety fears after university president Robert C. Robbins condemned the event.
Other
At the University of Florida, Jewish individuals organized a candlelight vigil. In Kentucky, the Students for Justice in Palestine organized a protest at the University of Louisville.
In Chicago, public demonstrations opposing the bombing of Gaza were held. Another protest called for the freeing of hostages, peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, and an end to all killings of civilians.
Oceania
Australia
On the night of 9 October, around 1,000 protesters attended a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney, calling on the Australian government to end support to Israel. The protestors marched through the city's central business district to the Sydney Opera House, which had been lit up with the colors of the Israeli flag. Jewish people were advised to avoid the area, and a man near the protest with an Israeli flag was detained to prevent a breach of the peace. Another similar rally took place in the south-western suburb of Lakemba. Reports of violence and antisemitism emerged from the protests, which were criticized by politicians including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns. A pro-Palestinian rally was also held in Melbourne on 10 October.
On 11 October, thousands gathered for a vigil held in Sydney showing support for Israel which was attended by a number of government officials. On 20 October, pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the entryway to the US spy base in Pine Gap, Northern Territory, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. On 31 October, a group of Jewish activists occupied Defence Minister Richard Marles’ office in Geelong, demanding an end to military support for Israel.
New Zealand
On 15 October, the Auckland War Memorial Museum staged a light display in the colours of the flag of Israel to express solidarity with Israel and civilians affected by the "terrorist attacks." In response, about 100 Palestinian supporters gathered outside the museum and covered the lights with jackets and flags. They had a verbal altercation with a group of pro-Israel supporters. Local pro-Palestinian advocates including Alternative Jewish Voices co-founder Marilyn Garson, Janfrie Wakim, and Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa leader John Minto criticised the museum's light display as partisan and "insensitive" to Palestinians. Museum chief executive David Reeves subsequently issued a statement apologizing "for the distress and hurt caused to members of our community." Reeve's apology was criticised by New Zealand Jewish Council spokesperson Juliet Moses, who described the protest as "extremely disappointing" and the museum's apology as a "betrayal."
In Auckland, hundreds of protesters gathered in Aotea Square on 21 October, with protesters waving a flag of Palestine as well as holding placards saying "Ceasefire", and "Free Palestine". In addition, thousands also attended similar rallies in other urban centres including Hamilton, Christchurch, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Wellington and Palmerston North.
On 28 October, thousands of protesters attended Palestine solidarity rallies in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin. These rallies called for an immediate ceasefire to the Hamas-Israel conflict and the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
On 29 October, pro-Israel protesters staged rallies across New Zealand. In Auckland's Aotea Square, a large crowd called for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
South America
Brazil
On 10 October, members of the Palestinian community protested outside the National Museum in Brasilia. On 15 October, members of the Israeli community rallied in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
Uruguay
On 10 October, around a thousand people demonstrated in support of Israel in Punta del Este. It was attended by the Intendant of Maldonado Enrique Antía and representatives of other religions. Additionally, La Mano was lit up with the blue and white hues of the Israeli flag. On the night of 11 October, a demonstration was held in Montevideo in support of Israel, which brought together around 3,000 people on the Rambla in the Pocitos neighborhood. The rally that was called by different organizations of the Jewish community of Uruguay in "against terrorism" was attended by a number of government officials, including Vice President Beatriz Argimón.
Venezuela
In Caracas, protestors rallied to show solidarity with Palestine.
Worldwide
13 October
Khaled Meshaal, a former leader of Hamas, appealed on 6 October for people "head to the squares and streets" in solidarity with Gaza on 13 October 2023. In a later statement on 10 October, Meshaal explicitly called for protests in all cities where there are Muslim communities. As a result of distorted rumours, media groups reported he had called for "global day of jihad" or a "day of rage," though Meshaal's reported comments did not include either phrase. While the word "jihad" can refer to non-violent struggle, it has often been used radical groups to refer more narrowly to a holy war, and some took Meshaal's comments to advocate violence.
The Israeli National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry issued a press release cautioning protests were "liable to turn violent." The Israeli government advised its citizens overseas to avoid any demonstrations or protests on 13 October. Rumours and fears were widespread, and "day of jihad"-related threats were made against Jews and Muslims. There was a heightened police presence at Jewish and Muslim sites, events were cancelled, and children stayed home from Jewish schools.
As a result of the reports, rallies opposing Israeli military action were banned in France, and restricted in Germany and Hungary. Germany's ban specifically barred praise for murder or manslaughter, burning of the Israeli flag, or praise for the Hamas attack or the use of its symbols. Peaceful protests occurred around the world on 13 October. There were no major incidents in the Al Aqsa area. In Jordan, police fired teargas at about 500 protestors approaching the border with the West Bank. Anti-Israel protests in the border areas were banned, but licensed protests were permitted elsewhere. In the West Bank, four Palestinian protestors were killed by Israeli forces. Seven had been killed the previous day.
A violent incident related to 13 October rumors occurred in the United States. On 14 October, a six-year-old boy in Illinois was killed, allegedly by his 71-year-old landlord, who was said by his wife to have been afraid of the "national day of jihad" and convinced something would happen.
Ban
Austria
In Vienna, police banned a pro-Palestine protest on the grounds that it used the phrase "from the river to the sea" in its invites, which police alleged was a call to violence against Israelis.
Fiji
Police denied an application by students of the University of the South Pacific to march in solidarity with Palestine. Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said that for the procession to be allowed, "they must, in fairness, grant permission to pro-Israeli groups who may wish to express their perspectives and grievances".
France
France implemented a ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin declared the ban, citing concerns related to public order. He emphasized that "Pro-Palestinian demonstrations must be prohibited because they are likely to generate disturbances to public order" and warned that organizing such protests would result in arrests. Nonetheless, France's highest administrative court stated that pro-Palestinian protests should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, while still affirming the validity of Darmanin’s directive.
Germany
In Germany, authorities imposed prohibitions on most protests advocating for Palestinian rights in response to reported anti-Semitic occurrences during an anti-Israel protest. A Berlin court upheld the ban on a scheduled pro-Palestinian demonstration in the city. In the face of these restrictions, human rights organizations urged authorities to ensure and enable the right of all individuals to express their opinions and peacefully assemble.
Hungary
Referring to planned pro-Palestine rallies in Hungary, Prime minister Viktor Orbán said "it is shocking that there were sympathy rallies supporting the terrorists across Europe", and that Hungary "will not allow sympathy rallies supporting terrorist organisations", referring to Hamas.
Singapore
The Singapore Police Force and the National Parks Board announced that no public events and assemblies related to the war, including those in the Speakers' Corner, would be permitted.
Sweden
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations were prohibited in Sweden, which was rationalized as necessary to uphold public order and prevent disruptions. Nevertheless, the measures prompted worries among human rights organizations, which contend that governments have an international responsibility to safeguard the rights of freedom of expression and assembly.
United Kingdom
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman urged police to consider the use of Palestinian flags and some associated chants or symbols with the Palestinian cause (such as "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free") in certain circumstances as a "racially aggravated" offence that should face legal consequences under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. This call triggered a discussion about potential biases in social media moderation policies.
See also
Outline of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
International reactions to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Ninth Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference
Media coverage of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Footnotes
References
Israel-Hamas war
2023 in international relations
Israel-Hamas war
Reactions to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
2023 Israel–Hamas war