Meanwhile, Jewish communities in the United States, France and elsewhere held protests in solidarity with Israel after the Hamas attack from Gaza, the deadliest massacre of Israeli civilians in the country's 75-year history.
Two extremes of war
There has been strong support and sympathy for Israel from Western governments and many citizens over the Hamas attacks, but Israel's response has also caused anger, especially in Arab and Muslim countries.
Muslims pray during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Baghdad, Iraq on October 13, 2023. Photo: Reuters
In Türkiye, crowds gathered outside mosques chanting against Israel and in support of Hamas. In the city of Diyarbakir, 46-year-old business owner Mikail Bakan said: "The entire Muslim world needs to unite...".
In Nablus, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, youths set fires in the streets and clashed with Israeli troops.
A giant Palestinian flag was flown at a protest in Rome, and protests took place in other European cities, including in Braband in Denmark and in Berlin, where some protesters were detained by police.
Germany and France have banned pro-Palestinian protests and several Western countries said they had increased security at synagogues and Jewish schools over fears the protests could lead to violence.
Hamas, which rules Gaza, called on Palestinians to rise up in protest against Israeli bombardment and poured troops into the blockaded area, urging them to march to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The complex in East Jerusalem's walled Old City is the third holiest site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina, and the holiest for Jews. To date, no major incidents have been reported there.
Last weekend's attacks by Hamas - considered a terrorist organization by the US, the European Union and other governments - on Israeli communities killed at least 1,300 people. Most were civilians, including women and children.
Since then, Israel has attacked Gaza with airstrikes and artillery shelling, killing more than 1,500 Palestinians. A ground offensive has also begun.
Protesters across the US showed solidarity with both sides in the conflict as major cities from New York City to Los Angeles increased police presence in Jewish and Muslim neighborhoods.
In Washington, a rally in support of Israel and the Jewish American community drew about 200 people to the city's Freedom Plaza, in front of the Capitol complex, where police had set up protective barricades the night before.
In contrast, in New York, crowds of protesters gathered near Times Square, demanding independence for Palestinians and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pain from both sides
In Baghdad on Friday, tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in central Tahrir Square, waving Palestinian flags and burning Israeli flags, while chanting anti-American chants.
“We are ready to join the fight and free Palestinians from Israeli brutality,” said Muntadhar Kareem, 25, a teacher.
He wore a white shroud, like most of the protesters, to symbolize their readiness to fight to the death.
State-organized protests were held across Iran - whose government is a major backer of Hamas and one of Israel's main enemies - in support of the militant group, state television reported.
“Death to Israel. Death to Zionism!” shouted protesters, many carrying Palestinian flags and the flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.
Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem told a rally in Lebanon that the group was “fully ready” to contribute to the war. The group has clashed with Israel across the Lebanese border in the past week.
In Indonesia, Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, suspected mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, joined dozens of people in a march against Israel in the Javanese city of Solo.
In the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, activists protested against Israel's actions after Friday prayers at the main mosque. Members of Japan's Muslim community protested near the Israeli embassy in Tokyo, holding banners and chanting "Israel, terrorist" and "Free Palestine."
In Sri Lanka, protesters held up signs reading "Palestine you will never walk alone". Protesters also took to the streets in Bulgaria, Yemen, Cape Town, the Indian Kashmir region, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Egypt.
Pray for peace
Jews also held vigils and protests in support of Israel.
In Warsaw, Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich was scheduled to lead a confessional prayer for peace. Members of France's Jewish community will gather at Paris' largest synagogue on the Sabbath.
French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a banned pro-Palestinian protest in Paris on Thursday evening. The government has banned pro-Palestinian protests, saying they could lead to public disorder.
In the Netherlands, Jewish schools were closed for safety reasons, as were two Jewish schools in London.
The Metropolitan Police said thousands of officers were carrying out extra patrols, visiting schools, synagogues and mosques. A police statement said the increase reflected a significant increase in hate crime, particularly anti-Semitism.
Thousands of people are expected to join the march for Palestine on Saturday.
In Germany, activists from the radical youth environmental group Last Generation have cancelled planned protests, saying they do not want to distract police from their duty to protect Jews and Jewish organizations.
Mai Van (according to Reuters)
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