From US to Berlin: Protest marches call for immediate halt to Israeli bombing of Gaza

 From Washington to Milan to Paris, tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched Saturday, calling for a halt to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza on Saturday.

The marches reflected growing disquiet about the mounting civilian casualty toll and suffering from the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict.

Protesters in countries such as the US, UK and France, expressed disillusionment with their governments for supporting Israel while its bombardments of hospitals and residential areas in the Gaza strip intensify.

In the US, thousands converged on the nation's capital to protest the Biden administration’s support of Israel and its heavy military campaign in Gaza.

“Palestine will be free,” demonstrators donning black and white keffiyehs chanted as an enormous Palestinian flag was unfurled by a crowd that filled Pennsylvania Avenue- the street leading up to the White House.

Dozens of small white body bags with the names of children killed by Israeli missiles lined the street and demonstrators held signs calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Protesters held signs and banners with messages such as “Biden betrays us” and “In November we remember,” highlighting how the issue could be a factor in Biden's reelection bid.

Biden was in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the weekend and didn't comment on the protests.

In a brief exchange with reporters as he left St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, he suggested there has been some forward movement in the U.S efforts to persuade Israel to agree to a humanitarian pause, answering “yes” when asked if there was progress.

In Paris, several thousand protesters called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and some shouted “Israel, assassin!”

Banners on a sound-system truck at the Paris march through rain-dampened streets read: “Stop the massacre in Gaza.” Demonstrators, many carrying Palestinian flags, chanted “Palestine will live, Palestine will win.”

Demonstrators also took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron, chanting “Macron, accomplice.”

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— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) November 4, 2023

French authorities had banned some previous pro-Palestinian gatherings due to claims about public disorder, as supporters shared their concerns over growing anti-Palestinian sentiment.

France will host an international humanitarian conference on Gaza on November 9 as it looks to coordinate aid for the enclave. 

In Romania’s capital, hundreds gathered in central Bucharest, many waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Save the children from Gaza.”

In Milan, a pro-Palestinian rally drew about 4,000 people and there was also a march by several thousand in Rome.

Beyond the Western world, countries such as Iran, Pakistan and Senegal also took to the streets to protest against Israel's war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

In Tehran, demonstrators gathered in front of the former US embassy chanting "Down with USA" and "Down with Israel", as Iranians lambasted Washington for its strong support of Israel.

Iranian protesters have labelled the Israeli bombardment of Gaza "genocide", while November 4 also marked the US embassy takeover of 1979.

In Lahore, Pakistani traders gathered in large numbers holding Palestinian flags and placards saying "Save Gaza".

Outside the grand mosque in Senegal's capital Dakar, approximately 200 people came together to support the Palestinian people.

The pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been taking place since the start of the conflict, where the Palestinian death toll has reached 9,448, which include the killings of 3,900 children by Israel- according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.

More than 1,400 people in Israel were predominately killed following the October 7 Hamas attack, where over 240 people were also taken into captivity.