Mass rallies in support of Gaza continue with momentum

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
23 Oct 2023 01:10
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The world stands up for Palestine in the face of Israeli atrocities and massacres without fear of oppression despite all efforts by many governments to suppress any anti-"Israel" public expression.

Protesters take part in a pro-Palestine rally in Paris, on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 (AP)

Earlier this month, when protests started to break out across the globe, France was one of the countries that banned pro-Palestine protests. However, since "Israel" bombed al-Ahli Hospital, France was no longer able to oppress pro-Palestinian crowds across the nation.

On Sunday, thousands took to the streets chanting in support of Palestine and the people of the Gaza Strip and condemning the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the war crimes "Israel" has committed.

In Lyon, people chanted "We are all Palestinians," and Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the former Deputy in the National Assembly of France, wrote in a post on X, "This is France. Meanwhile, Madame Braun-Pivet camps in Tel Aviv to encourage the massacre. Not in the name of the French people!"

Voici la France. Pendant ce temps Madame Braun-Pivet campe à Tel Aviv pour encourager le massacre. Pas au nom du peuple français ! pic.twitter.com/ruxMujq14k
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) October 22, 2023

The statements of Mélenchon come to show the growing schism between the official French position vis-à-vis the Palestinian cause and the popular decision of the people of France who have made it clear that they stand with Palestine and its people.

There were also protests across Sweden bringing together hundreds where people who chanted: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

In Barcelona, Spain, about 70,000 people took to the streets chanting "Israel Kills, Europe sponsors," as well as "Boycott Israel".

Spain: Over 70,000 people gathered in Barcelona for a protest in support of Palestine pic.twitter.com/UhNSYOX0VM
— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) October 21, 2023

Protests were also carried out at Harvard University in the US, in Morocco, Belgium, and Kenya.

Harvard students stand with Palestine 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/CDQylfyjpc
— Danny Haiphong (@SpiritofHo) October 22, 2023

In Morocco, people protested against the Israeli aggression on Gaza holding accountable, in their chants, governments, agencies, and people who have always spoken about "human rights" but now stand silent in front of the atrocities and massacres committed by "Israel".

Hundreds protest in the Morrocan city of Tangier in solidarity with Gaza. pic.twitter.com/E8BfuIacKU
— Wasim J. Alkhaldi🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@waseemalkhaldi2) October 22, 2023

In Kenya, a protest was led by the current Member of Parliament for Nyali Constituency in Mombasa County, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, who said, "We stand with the people of Gaza during this trying time. The suffering and violence they are enduring must end. It is our duty as fellow human beings to raise our voices against such injustices."

🇰🇪🇵🇸 Kenyans protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza strip

Kenyans took to the streets of Mombasa on Saturday to show solidarity with Gaza residents enduring an Israeli blockade and incessant attacks. The demonstrators held banners and waved Palestinian flags as they were led by… pic.twitter.com/mTLFBRwqGy
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) October 22, 2023

US private universities are being cornered by pro-Israeli donors

US universities are stuck between a rock and a hard place - between satisfying rich donors that support "Israel" and respecting students' rights to free expression, as the rich threaten to withdraw their financial support from prestigious private Ivy League schools like Harvard University in Massachusetts and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

For example, the Wexner Foundation, meant for young Jewish leaders in North America and "Israel", ended its partnership with Harvard's Kennedy School.

The Wexner family, which founded the Bath & Body Works chain, formally cut their ties to the school following the "dismal failure of Harvard's leadership to take a clear and unequivocal  stand against the barbaric murders  of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists."

Marc Rowan, the CEO of the Apollo Global Management investment fund and a major donor to UPenn, called on the school's president, Elizabeth Magill, to step down after criticizing her for UPenn's hosting of a Palestinian literature festival which, he claimed, included some "well-known anti-Semites and fomenters of hate and racism."

The CEO of the Citadel investment fund and one of Harvard's biggest donors, Kenneth Griffin, alongside heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics group and another UPenn donor, Ronald Lauder, are expressing displeasure as well.

Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU), said, "Leaders are criticized for not speaking out quickly or forcefully enough. They're being forced to choose sides. And yet many say that given a diversity of perspectives on campus, there can't be an institutional position on such complex global issues".