Security measures were increased on Saturday and Sunday around Jewish sites in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada, due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, while demonstrations in support of the Palestinians took place in several countries in the Middle East.
Increased security for Jewish sites in Europe and North America
France
Security was reinforced on Saturday around places of worship and Jewish educational establishments in France, particularly in Paris and its suburbs, announced the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, specifying that there was currently “no threat “.
Germany
Germany has strengthened security around buildings of the Jewish community and the Israeli representation after the unprecedented attacks by Hamas on Israeli territory, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced on Saturday.
The German authorities also monitor “potential supporters of Hamas in the Islamist sphere very closely,” the minister stressed.
Berlin police cited photos on
On Sunday in Berlin, a demonstration of solidarity with Israel brought together 2,000 people in front of the Brandenburg Gate, according to police. Local elected officials from all sides, including the mayor of the German capital, took part in this gathering, organized by associations of the Jewish community.
The Brandenburg Gate, symbol of reunified Germany, was illuminated on Saturday evening in the colors of the Israeli flag, and the Israeli flag was raised in front of the Chancellery, the Bundestag and the Presidency of the Republic.
United Kingdom
London police on Sunday increased their patrols in certain areas of the British capital after “incidents” linked to the war between Israel and Hamas, and the Interior Minister called for “zero tolerance” against “glorification terrorism”.
“Police have increased patrols in parts of London to ensure a visible presence and reassure our communities,” the Metropolitan Police said.
Immigration Secretary Robert Jenrick shared a video on the social network X showing people waving Palestinian flags in the street and blaring car horns.
The Israeli flag was projected on the facade of Downing Street in the evening.
Canada
Canadian police announced on Sunday that they had reinforced their presence around religious buildings, synagogues and mosques.
UNITED STATES
Security has been increased near synagogues in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston. “Even though there is no credible threat to New York City, […] We have asked police to deploy additional resources to Jewish communities and places of worship throughout the city,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
Demonstrations in support of the Palestinians
Iran
In Iran, where the president said he supported “the self-defense of the Palestinian nation” and held Israel “responsible”, several hundred people demonstrated on Sunday in several large cities, including Tehran, brandishing Palestinian flags.
“The great liberation operation has begun,” read large posters in the Iranian capital. Israeli flags were burned.
In the streets, motorists with Palestinian flags honked their horns to express their joy, and fireworks were set off in several localities, according to images from the official IRNA agency.
Lebanon
In Lebanon, Hezbollah organized a rally on Sunday in its stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut to support the Palestinian offensive.
A senior member of the Lebanese movement, Hachem Safieddine, paid tribute to “the heroes of Gaza” and affirmed that “the time for revenge has come”, cheered by his supporters who chanted “Death to Israel”.
Syria
In Damascus, young people handed out pastries to cars in a central square in the Syrian capital as a sign of joy.
Türkiye
Thousands of Turks took part in a march in Istanbul to support the Palestinians. “The Palestinian people are only defending their homeland, it has nothing to do with terrorism,” Sahin Ocal, 54, an activist from one of the associations organizing the march, told AFP.
Yemen
In Sanaa, protesters also gathered in support of the Palestinians and burned Israeli and American flags. Houthi militiamen, supported by Iran and who control Sanaa, chanted “Death to America, death to Israel”.
Iraq
Supporters of a pro-Iran group staged a motorcade in central Baghdad on Sunday. Leading the parade, some hooded men in military fatigues, perched on the platforms of several trucks, brandished Palestinian flags and portraits of the Iranian supreme leader.
A demonstration in support of the Palestinians was to be organized late in the afternoon in the holy Shiite city of Karbala.
On Saturday, around 100 protesters gathered in downtown Baghdad, waving Palestinian flags. Protesters trampled and set fire to Israeli flags and chanted “no to the United States, no to Israel.”
South Africa
Between 600 and 800 people from Cape Town’s Muslim community gathered at the Al-Quds Mosque in solidarity with the Palestinians. The South African liberation movement “was also forced […] to take up arms,” justified Shaykh Shahid Esau, a former parliamentarian.