Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Sweep Across the Globe in Wake of Hamas Attack
Friday witnessed a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations worldwide, following a call from former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal for a global “day of rage” in response to an attack by Hamas in Israel that has sparked the worst conflicts in the region in 50 years.
In the United States, pro-Palestinian rallies were planned in various cities, including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Portland, and Pittsburgh. Law enforcement agencies across the nation announced that they would be increasing their presence near synagogues, other places of worship, and Israeli diplomatic posts.
One of the largest rallies was expected to take place in Times Square, New York, on Friday afternoon, coinciding with the American Jewish community’s first Sabbath since the Hamas incursion in Israel. The attack had resulted in the deaths of at least 1,300 people and led to retaliatory ground strikes and preparations for a ground war in Gaza.
While supporters of the Palestinian cause gathered worldwide to express their solidarity, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes in the northern Gaza Strip. Israel had ordered the evacuation of over 1 million people, a move which the United Nations described as potentially “calamitous” due to the deteriorating security situation in the area. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 1,500 people have already been killed in the bombing campaign, including a third of them being children, and an additional 6,600 were wounded.
Khaled Mashal, in his call for protests, urged supporters to send a “message of rage to Zionists and to America.” In response, law enforcement agencies in major cities across the United States stepped up their vigilance and patrols in anticipation of the demonstrations. Security advisories were issued, and in New York, all police training was canceled, with officers ordered to be in uniform and on patrol.
The demonstrations also raised concerns about the safety and security of Jewish communities. Online threats against Jewish people have risen by 400 percent since the Hamas attack, and antisemitic incidents have reached a four-decade high. Oren Segal, vice president of the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League, highlighted the vulnerability of the Jewish community and expressed concern about the potential for violence and attacks on civilians during the protests.
In response to the escalating tensions, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, issued a state of emergency order. The order gives DeSantis the power to deploy the National Guard and the Florida State Guard, a new security unit under his direct command, to ensure the safety of both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including those on campuses.
Demonstrations were also expected to take place in Texas, with police in major cities advising increased vigilance and patrols. In Dallas, the Dallas Palestine Coalition organized multiple protests and a spokesperson for the group confirmed plans for nationwide protests over the weekend.
Faizan Syed, a member of the Dallas Palestine Coalition, emphasized their commitment to peaceful protests but acknowledged the tense atmosphere. The group has been in contact with local police to ensure security and prevent altercations during their demonstrations.
The situation remains highly volatile, with tensions escalating and threats increasing on both sides. Community leaders and law enforcement agencies are working to maintain peace, protect communities, and facilitate dialogue to reach a resolution that recognizes the suffering of people caught in the ongoing conflict.