Fears of possible unrest reigned Friday after former Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal called on Muslims around the world to join the fight against Israel and send a “message of anger.” Planned pro-Palestinian demonstrations had already been banned in Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, but incidents still occurred.
The police had to intervene in several cities because Israeli flags were stolen and set on fire. Berlin police took action against gatherings of people carrying Palestinian flags or symbols. Earlier, masked people threw Molotov cocktails at a police car. According to police, emergency services heard the unknown perpetrators shouting “Allahu akbar” (“God is incomparably great”).
First riots after Hamas appeal
Tens of thousands of people around the world followed the terrorist organization Hamas’ call for protests against Israel on Friday. There were mass demonstrations in Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Pakistan.
Berlin: “Increased risk situation”
Police in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg also expected pro-Palestinian protests despite the ban. The president of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Münch, hoped the appeal would “resonate” with German Hamas supporters. The organizer of an anti-Israel demonstration planned for Saturday was temporarily arrested in Frankfurt. Pro-Palestinian events were also banned on Saturday in Cologne, Mannheim and Freistadt.
The German government assumes a “situation of increased risk” and takes it “very seriously”, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said on Friday. The protection of Jewish institutions has already been strengthened – this has “the highest priority”. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier therefore spoke on Friday about a “day of fear for Jews around the world and in Germany” and called for solidarity with them.
Meeting in Graz banned
In Graz, a meeting announced for Saturday related to the conflict in the Middle East was officially banned. The Styrian State Police Directorate (LPD) announced this on Friday evening. The police presence in public spaces has increased – more about this at steiermark.ORF.at. A demonstration in Vienna was announced for Saturday.
Increased Safety Precautions
In Austria, security precautions in front of Jewish institutions were increased following Hamas’s appeal. The terrorist alert level has not yet been raised.
Teacher stabbed to death in France
In Paris, police broke up a demonstration with tear gas on Thursday. Pro-Palestinian protests have been banned in France since Thursday. This could “probably cause disturbances in public order,” Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in a letter to the country’s mayors.
On Friday there was a fatal knife attack in the city of Arras. According to media reports, a teacher was allegedly killed by a former student. The perpetrator allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” as he entered a school. He was reportedly listed in a file for radicalized people. Darmanin confirmed the police operation at a school on Twitter. The police arrested the perpetrator. President Emmanuel Macron described the act as “Islamic terrorism”.
In the afternoon, France declared the highest of three alert levels. The aim is to provide protection in the event of imminent attacks or immediately after a terrorist attack. It allows, for example, to close certain streets or means of transport and inform all residents of an emergency system. So far, the medium level has been in force in France, which already represents a growing threat.
Teacher stabbed to death in France
There was a fatal knife attack in the city of Arras on Friday. According to media reports, a teacher was allegedly killed by a former student.
Antisemitic incidents in Britain
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the country. “There has been a rather disgusting increase in anti-Semitic incidents in recent days,” he said. The government does not tolerate calls for hatred, violence or racist acts. These would be punished with “all the severity of the law”. London police recorded more than a hundred anti-Semitic incidents and 75 anti-Semitic crimes in the British capital in recent days.
USA is preparing
From New York to Los Angeles, US police announced they would increase patrols following Hamas’ appeal on Friday. New York Mayor Eric Adams said there are no credible threats against New York, but said New Yorkers must “remain vigilant,” citing a large demonstration planned for Friday in Times Square.
Police in the Washington region wanted to increase their presence at religious sites. Additionally, security precautions would be increased throughout the Capitol complex. Some schools in the US remained closed on Friday.
Israel warns citizens abroad
According to the Central Council of Jews, calls for acts of violence against Jewish institutions were circulating on social media. The threats have not been verified, but there may be copycats or individual perpetrators. Israel appealed to its citizens living abroad to be careful: “It can be assumed that there will be protest events in several countries that could turn violent,” warned the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the country’s National Security Council.
Hezbollah in Lebanon: “Prepare for anything”
Hundreds of supporters applauded Lebanon’s Hezbollah deputy secretary general Naim Ghassem as he spoke after Friday prayers in Beirut. His announcement was clear: “Prepare for anything.” The Shia organization was ready to fight against Israel. The crowd waved Palestinian flags and the Hezbollah flag. The people chanted in unison: “Freedom for Palestine!”
In Egypt, worshipers protested after Friday prayers at Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque, reported Al-Shoruk newspaper, which published images of some protesters unfurling the Palestinian flag in the mosque’s courtyard and saying: “With soul and blood we sacrifice for Al-Aqsa”, a reference to Islam’s third holiest site in Jerusalem.
Portal/Ahmed Saad Thousands of people take to the streets in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in solidarity with the Palestinians
Mass demonstrations in Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Pakistan
Meanwhile, in Iran, Iraq and Jordan, thousands of people showed their support for the Palestinians. In the Iranian capital, Tehran, protesters waved Iranian, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags and held signs with slogans such as “Down with America” and “Down with Israel,” an AFP reporter reported.
Tehran has long supported Hamas militarily and financially. The Iranian leadership celebrated the Hamas attack as a “success.” However, Iran denied direct involvement in the attack. Thousands also took to the streets in Jordan. According to media reports, security forces prevented protesters from reaching the border area with the West Bank. In the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, thousands of people shouted slogans such as “No to occupation!” in central Tahrir Square. No to America!”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned Israel about a possible expansion of the conflict. If the Israeli bombing of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip continues, “other fronts” could open, said Amir-Abdollahian at the start of a visit to Beirut. “In light of the ongoing aggression, war crimes and the siege of the Gaza Strip, the opening of other fronts is a real possibility,” said Amir-Abdollahian. Observers interpreted this as a possible reference to the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which is supported by Tehran.
There were also nationwide demonstrations in Pakistan on Friday. The chairman of the influential Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, Sirajul Haq, told angry supporters in the city of Lahore: “We are ready for any sacrifice and will continue to support Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine.” the government to immediately convene a high-level meeting of Pakistani politicians.