Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters organized demonstrations in London, Berlin, Paris, Ankara, Istanbul, and Washington, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and condemning Israel's actions following the escalation of its military operations in the area. Television footage in London showed large crowds of protesters that shut down parts of the city center before heading towards Trafalgar Square. The demonstrators held signs that read "Freedom for Palestine" and chanted "Ceasefire now" and "By the thousands and millions, we are all Palestinians." The Metropolitan Police in London stated that they arrested 29 individuals on charges including incitement to racial hatred and public disorder on a racial basis. Two people were arrested on suspicion of violating anti-terrorism legislation concerning the wording of a sign displayed during the protest.
Britain supports Israel's right to defend itself after the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) killed 1,400 people and took more than 240 others captive. Similar to Washington, the government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has not gone so far as to call for a ceasefire in Gaza; instead, it has urged for periods of humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid to reach those in need. Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Washington, waving the Palestinian flag, with some chanting "Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, you’re complicit in genocide," before gathering at Freedom Plaza just steps away from the White House. Speakers condemned President Joe Biden's support for Israel, saying, "Your hands are stained with blood." Some vowed not to support Biden's campaign for a second presidential term next year, as well as the campaigns of other Democrats, labeling them "two-faced liberals." Others criticized civil rights leaders for not denouncing the killing of women and children due to Israeli bombings.
In Paris, thousands marched to demand a ceasefire, holding signs that read "Stop the cycle of violence" and "Doing nothing, saying nothing means complicity." This was one of the first large gatherings to support the Palestinians that the authorities legally allowed in Paris since Hamas launched its attack on Israel. French authorities had previously banned some pro-Palestinian gatherings due to fears of chaos. France is hosting an international aid conference on Gaza on November 9, as part of its efforts to coordinate assistance to the region. Antoine Guerrero, a 30-year-old government employee, stated, "We came here today to express the solidarity of the people of France with the Palestinian people and our support for peace, and to reach a peaceful solution based on two states, an Israeli state and a Palestinian state."
Waheed Barq, a 66-year-old retiree, expressed sorrow over the deaths of Israeli and Palestinian civilians. He said, "I feel sorry for the killing of civilians on both sides. Civilians have nothing to do with these actions. It's really shameful." In Berlin, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags while calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. A woman demonstrated with her arm raised in the air, her hand covered in fake blood. Hundreds gathered in Istanbul and Ankara, a day before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Turkey for talks on Gaza. Turkey, which has strongly criticized Israel and Western nations as the humanitarian crisis in the region worsens, supports a two-state solution and hosts members of Hamas. Ankara does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization, in contrast to the United States, the European Union, and some Gulf countries.
In Sarachani Park in Istanbul, protesters held signs that read, "Blinken, the partner of the massacre, get out of Turkey." Footage from Ankara showed protesters gathering near the American embassy, chanting slogans and holding signs that read, "Israel bombs hospitals, and Biden pays for that."
