PARIS — On Sunday, thousands of people around the world joined pro-Palestinian protests, marking the first anniversary of the deadly October 7 Hamas attack. This attack had sparked Israel’s ongoing military response in Gaza.
Demonstrators gathered in cities like Jakarta, Istanbul, and Rabat, continuing the momentum from similar protests held in European capitals, Washington, and New York the day before.
“We are here to support the Palestinian resistance,” said Ahmet Unal, a protester in Istanbul, where thousands gathered in solidarity.
In Paris, the Jewish community also held a commemoration to mark one year since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, which led to the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Following this attack, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and causing massive destruction in the region.
In Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, at least 1,000 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the U.S. embassy, demanding that Washington stop supplying weapons to Israel. Similarly, in Sydney, thousands of demonstrators waved Lebanese and Palestinian flags, with one arrest made after someone displayed a flag with a hateful symbol.
In Rabat, Morocco, thousands marched, calling for an end to violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Protesters demanded that Morocco cut diplomatic ties with Israel, shouting, “No to normalization, Palestine is not for sale.”
The last year has seen some of the largest global protests in support of Palestine, including significant movements in the United States, where pro-Palestinian rallies have taken place across college campuses.
While many protest for peace, there have been concerns about the rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric during some demonstrations. Rights groups have raised alarms about increasing threats toward Jews and Muslims globally.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel’s actions are aimed at preventing future attacks like those on October 7, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself, while also facing international criticism for its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.
