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.
In France
Security was reinforced on Saturday around places of worship and Jewish educational establishments in France, particularly in Paris and its suburbs, announced Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, specifying that there was currently “no threat” . The security of Israeli sites of interest and places of worship had already been reinforced in mid-September with the start of the Jewish year marked by the celebrations of several holidays in September and October.
In 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.
The UK
London police increased patrols in parts of the British capital on Sunday 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 announced. Immigration Secretary Robert Jenrick shared a video on the social network X showing people waving Palestinian flags in the street and blaring car horns.
In Canada
Canadian police announced on Sunday that they had reinforced their presence around religious buildings, synagogues and mosques.
In Iran
In Iran, where the president said he supported “the legitimate defense of the Palestinian nation” and held Israel “responsible”, several hundred people demonstrated on Sunday in several large cities, including Tehran, waving 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.
In Liban
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”.
In Syria
In Damascus, young people distributed pastries to cars in a central square in the Syrian capital as a sign of joy.
In 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.
In Yemen
In Sanaa, demonstrators 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”.
In 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 pick-ups, 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.”