Pro-Palestinian protests/ Europe pro-Palestinian rallies/ Hamas attack anniversary protests/ London pro-Palestinian march/ Rome protest defies ban/ Newslooks/ ROME/ J. mansour/ Morning Edition/ Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in cities like London, Paris, and Rome to call for a cease-fire as the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel approaches. Security is high in Europe amid concerns that the protests could turn violent or spark new terror threats. Despite a ban in Rome, several thousand protesters marched through the city, while scuffles broke out during the London protest. Events will culminate on Monday, marking one year since the deadly attacks.
Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Sweep Europe as Oct. 7 Anniversary Nears Quick Looks
- Mass protests: Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are rallying across Europe, including in London, Rome, and Paris, calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
- High security: European cities are on heightened alert due to concerns over potential violence and terror threats linked to the Middle East conflict.
- Rome defies ban: Despite a ban by local authorities, thousands marched in Rome, chanting slogans in support of Palestine and Lebanon.
- Escalating violence: The protests come amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 41,000 Palestinians have died since the war began last year.
Thousands Join Pro-Palestinian Protests Across Europe, Call For Cease-Fire
Deep Look
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered across European cities on Saturday to demand an immediate cease-fire in Gaza as the anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel approaches. The protests, held in cities such as London, Paris, and Rome, are part of a weekend of rallies leading up to Monday, which marks one year since Hamas launched surprise attacks, setting off a war that continues to devastate the region.
Heightened Security in European Cities
In London, protesters gathered in Russell Square under heavy police presence. Organizers targeted institutions like Barclays Bank and the British Museum, accusing them of complicity in what they described as Israel’s crimes. As tensions rose, scuffles erupted between protesters and police officers, leading to two arrests. London’s Metropolitan Police were on high alert, prepared to manage any further unrest.
Meanwhile, in Rome, several thousand people defied a government ban to protest in the Italian capital. Chanting “Free Palestine, Free Lebanon,” protesters gathered despite local authorities’ refusal to authorize the rally, citing security concerns. The Italian government had warned that Saturday’s protest risked glorifying the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
“We need to keep showing up and marching until something changes,” said Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in Britain. “This is a humanitarian crisis that requires action.”
Protests are planned throughout the weekend and into Monday, with authorities in France and Germany also ramping up security. In Berlin, a major march from the Brandenburg Gate to Bebelplatz is scheduled for Sunday, with local media warning that law enforcement could struggle to manage the scale of the protests. German officials pointed to a rise in antisemitic incidents and violence in recent days, urging vigilance.
In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau instructed regional prefects to remain on high alert, citing an increased terrorist threat. Similar concerns have been raised across Europe, as officials warn that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could inspire new terror attacks.
A Year of Bloodshed and Escalation
The anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks on Israel marks a grim milestone in a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Last year, Hamas launched a surprise attack, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages, sparking a brutal war with Israel that has shattered much of the Gaza Strip.
Since then, over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. The ministry reports that more than half of the deaths have been women and children. Meanwhile, nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to still be alive.
The region has also seen an uptick in violence from various fronts. Israelis have endured missile attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, explosive drones from Yemen, and deadly shootings and stabbings. In response, Israel has shifted its focus to Hezbollah in recent weeks, launching airstrikes and conducting limited incursions into southern Lebanon.
The Global Response
Pro-Palestinian rallies have been a recurring presence in Europe and around the world since the war began last year, often marked by confrontations between protesters and police. As the anniversary date approaches, the intensity of the demonstrations has increased, with calls for international intervention and an end to the conflict growing louder.
The events in Rome, London, and other cities are part of a broader global movement calling for an immediate end to the violence. In the Philippines, left-wing activists gathered near the U.S. Embassy in Manila, protesting U.S. support for Israel and calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Despite the high tensions and security risks, organizers are determined to continue their efforts. “We will keep going until there’s real action,” Jamal said in London. “This is a fight for human rights, and we need to be heard.”
As European cities brace for more rallies over the weekend and into Monday, governments are urging vigilance and caution, hoping to prevent any further escalation in violence both in the Middle East and on their own streets.
