Israeli institute says anti-Israeli protests on the rise globally
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An Israeli institute reveals that the number of protests in support of occupied Palestine is on the rise as those in favor of Zionism are in freefall.
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Anti-war activists protest outside of The White House during a pro-Palestinian demonstration asking for a ceasefire in Gaza in Washington, the US, November 4, 2023 (AP)
In the wake of Operation al-Aqsa Flood, which began on October 7, a wave of global demonstrations has unfolded, shedding light on the profound divisions surrounding the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The Israeli National Security Institute reported that there has been an escalation in anti-Israeli sentiment, with protests taking place nearly all over the world.
According to comprehensive data analysis, a total of 3,891 demonstrations, expressing both support and opposition to the Israeli occupation, have taken place in 92 countries, underscoring the growing hatred for "Israel" in light of its aggression on Gaza.
The Israeli institute, however, noted that the sheer number of pro-Palestinian demonstrations greatly overshadowed that of pro-Zionist ones.
Analyzing data compiled from the first six days of the aggression on Gaza shows that "Israel's" unpopularity was skyrocketing, especially in comparison to the high rate of pro-Palestine protests. 69% of the protests during those six days were in support of Palestine while a mere 31% were in favor of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
A major shift, however, took place on October 13, when Hamas declared a "Day of Rage", which resulted in a surge of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that sought to condemn the Israeli occupation. The pro-Palestine protests accounted for 95% of all demonstrations while the Israeli occupation had a puny 5%.
Palestine support on the rise
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are surging all over the globe, taking place in at least 88 countries. Aside from the rest of the Arab world where pro-Palestinian demonstrations are taking place regularly at dozens per day, and where Yemen is in the lead by a whopping 486 demonstrations thus far, the United States has taken the lion's share of demonstrations, with 402 demonstrations taking place there.
Moreover, Turkey had 355 protests while Iran had 275. Comparatively speaking, only 182 pro-Israeli demonstrations have taken place in the United States, one out of only 45 countries that saw such gatherings.
Just yesterday in the United Kingdom, a stronghold of support for the Israeli occupation, and in the heart of London, a massive pro-Palestine demonstration was in full swing as hundreds of thousands marched through the city.
The Metropolitan Police spokesperson informed CNN that an estimated 300,000 individuals participated in the rally.
At central London's Hyde Park Corner, a substantial police presence was observed as demonstrators vocalized chants of "free, free Palestine" and "ceasefire now." Additionally, they were heard chanting, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!"
Solidarity with Palestine obstructed
However, solidarity with Palestine does not come without a price, with numerous Western states putting in place measures in order to undermine any support for the cause.
For example, in France, the abrupt cancellation of the permit for a pro-Palestine protest march in France provided legal grounds for the police to employ a form of political repression reminiscent of the measures taken during the yellow vests protests – imposing substantial fines.
Just 90 minutes prior to a highly anticipated pro-Palestine march scheduled to take place in Paris in late October to denounce 'Israel's' atrocities in Gaza, local authorities suddenly rescinded the protest permit.
Watch | #French Police attack and use gas canisters to disperse pro-#Palestine protesters in Paris.#France pic.twitter.com/UYRFN6VOSq
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 12, 2023
In the United Kingdom, for example, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched peacefully through central London on Saturday amid clashes between right-wing counter-protesters and the police as the former sought to disturb the peaceful protests.
Read next: UK threatens to expel expats who support the Palestinian resistance
'Peaceful' British protests
The day unfolded against a backdrop of heightened tensions, fueled by Home Secretary Suella Braverman's characterization of pro-Palestinian demonstrations as "hate marches" and her calling for the event to be barred altogether after she called on the police to be tougher on such protests.
London police arrested 84 people at one location to prevent a "breach" of the peace, while the total number of arrestees reached 120 people as police tried to stop far-right counter-protesters from ambushing the main rally. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist explained that certain counter-protest groups were intent on confrontation.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley resisted pressure from political leaders to ban the march as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Braverman expressed concern that protests could spill over into Sunday's Armistice Day events at the Cenotaph.
Organizers of the pro-Palestinian demonstration took steps to avoid conflicting with Armistice Day events, ensuring the march moved off just after midday, following a two-minute silence observed nationally. The route from Hyde Park to the US Embassy avoided the Cenotaph.
