Israel’s Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism says it has identified 262 planned pro-Palestinian protests and related events across 37 countries around the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel.
The figures describe scheduled events rather than verified gatherings or attendance totals.
According to The Times of Israel’s report published on 5 October, the ministry said 75 demonstrations were planned for 7 October, with another 121 scheduled for the weekend of 10 and 11 October. Its monitoring covers events through 14 October. (timesofisrael.com)
Where events are planned
The ministry’s figures put the United States first with 45 planned events, followed by Spain with 40 and Australia with 21.
The UK accounts for 19, Italy for 16, and Germany and Canada for 14 each. France has 10 and the Netherlands eight.
These are the ministry’s estimates, as reported by The Times of Israel. They do not establish how many events will ultimately take place or how many people will attend. (timesofisrael.com)
London organisers announce weekend march
Separately, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s event announcement confirms plans for a national march in London on Saturday, 10 October.
The organisation lists a noon gathering at Victoria Embankment. It says participants will call for the UK government to stop arming Israel and impose sanctions.
The announcement provides direct confirmation of that planned event. It does not independently verify the ministry’s worldwide total. (palestinecampaign.org)
Security assessments require clear attribution
The Israeli ministry classified 21 of the events as high risk and 66 as medium risk, according to The Times of Israel.
Those classifications are the ministry’s assessments. They should not be presented as findings that participants have committed offences or that violence will occur.
The events also involve different organisers and stated aims. A collective description cannot establish the views or conduct of every participant. (timesofisrael.com)
An anniversary marked by grief
The demonstrations coincide with commemorations of the attacks of 7 October 2023.
Reuters reports that Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israelis gathered for memorials on Wednesday, while Palestinians recalled the destruction and displacement caused by the subsequent war in Gaza. (reuters.com)
In Britain, Jewish organisations are also planning a London vigil for victims of the attacks, The Guardian reported on Wednesday. (theguardian.com)
Trivane View
People should be able to mourn victims and protest peacefully without facing threats or hatred. Criticism of a government should be assessed separately from hostility towards a religious or ethnic community. Reports should make clear who supplied the figures, what organisers are demanding, and what has actually happened.
