Global Demonstrations Demand End to Violence in Gaza and Lebanon
On November 16, 2024, protests erupted in major cities worldwide, calling for an end to the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Demonstrators demanded the cessation of military support to Israel and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected regions. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, the conflict has resulted in 43,799 fatalities and 103,601 injuries over the past 14 months, with the violence in Lebanon claiming 3,445 lives and injuring 14,599 since the onset of hostilities.
Protests were particularly intense in the United States, where authorities arrested demonstrators outside the New York Times building. Protesters criticized the newspaper's coverage of the conflict, holding signs that read, "The lying New York Times... you set fire to Palestine."
In the UK, hundreds marched in London, accusing the British government of complicity in the violence. This demonstration coincided with the UN climate conference in Azerbaijan and was organized by a coalition of over 60 climate justice groups. Protesters specifically targeted BP, alleging that the company supplies approximately 30% of the oil used by the Israeli military.
Demonstrations also took place in Paris, where protesters gathered at the Place de la Bastille to condemn the killing of healthcare workers in Gaza. They urged Western nations, particularly France, to take responsibility and impose sanctions on Israel for its actions. In Berlin, demonstrators rallied under the slogan "Stop the war of extermination," while Copenhagen saw crowds demanding an end to the siege on Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid. In Brazil, activists gathered in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the G20 summit, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
