Global pro-Palestinian protests spark security concerns
Worldwide protests have been observed, many with antisemitic sentiments, as Israel’s conflict with Hamas, goes forward, with calls for increased security and global accountability becoming more prominent.
According to a report by Israel’s Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry, On October 13th and 14th, cities including London, Rome, Geneva, and Delhi witnessed large-scale protests in response to Hamas’s call for a “Day of Rage.” These demonstrations, however, often did not reach their anticipated scale.
Concerns about potential antisemitic attacks have grown in light of these protests. The European Union has said it is leading efforts to monitor hate speech on social media platforms.
In the US, prominent educational figures and institutions, including Zareena Grewal, a lecturer at Yale University, have faced calls for their resignation due to their anti-Israel stance on the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged world leaders to bar hate speech. The EU is actively monitoring digital content related to the conflict to ensure adherence to
hate speech regulations.
In the UK, the BBC was vandalized by a pro-Palestinian activist group, and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke out against Israel at a protest. The Metropolitan Police reported a notable increase in antisemitic incidents.
France has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents since the conflict began, leading to several arrests and crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protests. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed the link between a recent school attack and the war.
Germany has outlawed public support for Hamas, and
there are increased reports of antisemitic vandalism. Spain has heightened its counter-terrorism measures following recent events.
Australia witnessed an event where individuals gave Nazi salutes at a Melbourne train station. A Jewish school in Toronto was also threatened, leading to a police investigation. In addition, thousands of Australians joined pro-Palestinian rallies on Sunday, despite police threats to curb them.
Nations across the developed world are clamping down on such protests out of concern the conflict could trigger violence at home, with France banning them completely.