Thousands of anti-Israel activists worldwide rally ahead of 1st year anniversary since Oct 7 atrocities

Tens of thousands of anti-Israel activists took to the streets worldwide on Saturday, ahead of the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas massive terror attack on southern Israel. On what has become known in Israel as the Black Shabbat, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, massacred 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped 251 into Gaza from southern Israeli border communities.

On Oct. 8, the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah launched an unprovoked attack on northern Israel. Anti-Israel activists in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa and Ireland called on their respective governments to pressure Israel to end its military operations against the Iranian-backed terrorist proxies Hamas and Hezbollah. Others called for ending scientific and economic collaborations with the Jewish state

The British capital, London, emerged as a global hub for anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activism. British media reported signs at the anti-Israel rally with statements like “Hezbollah are not terrorists” and “I love Hezbollah.” The rally in London also included calls for Israel’s destruction with the slogan: "Don't want no two states, we want 1948" and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which has been designated as a call for the destruction of the State of Israel. The rally also included antisemitic demonization of Jews and Israel, with one message on display reading: "Zionism causes polio."

Open support for proscribed terror org Hezbollah + uniforms that appear to mimic those of another Islamist group on ⁦@BenJamalpsc⁩ latest farce. Full report & identities revealed in ⁦@JewishNewsUK⁩ report later today (Pics mine).Will be contacting ⁦@metpoliceuk⁩ pic.twitter.com/GiBz8nOZvy

— lee harpin (@lmharpin) October 5, 2024

Other activists demanded “Hands off Lebanon,” referring to Israel’s military response in recent weeks against Hezbollah forces in Lebanon that have been launching missiles into Israel's northern territory since last October. 

Approximately 15 people were reportedly arrested at the anti-Israel rally in London. Three of the individuals attacked a rescue worker, while others expressed support for Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which are designated by the United Kingdom as terrorist organizations.

“These images have been passed to officers, including those monitoring our camera systems. We are urgently trying to identify those involved so that action can be taken,” the Metropolitan Police in London stated. 

The Campaign Against Antisemitism, a watchdog combating Jew hatred, complained that “those in power have allowed support for Hamas to run rampant on Britain’s streets week in, week out.”

“Now, it seems we are seeing the results of their inaction as anti-Israel protesters have apparently moved on to defending Hezbollah, a proscribed antisemitic genocidal terror group,” the watchdog added. 

Anti-Israel activists in South Africa chanted “Israel is a racist state” and “We are all Palestinian.”

Many Western governments are concerned that extremists will exploit the Oct. 7 one-year anniversary and potentially launch terror attacks in major cities worldwide.

Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stressed that European countries were preparing for worst-case scenarios on the continent. 

“This is not a normal situation… We are already in a condition of maximum prevention,” Piantedosi said. 

Antisemitism has exploded worldwide following the Hamas massacres of Israeli civilians one year ago.

Last month, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt, announced that a growing number of countries increasingly realize that antisemitism is a global problem with potentially serious societal consequences. 

“Since October 7, many countries have now recognized that it’s a problem,” Lipstadt stated. “It is one of the oldest hatreds, one of the most consistent hatreds in the world. It’s like a virus.”

“There is no other prejudice that has proven adaptable to so many entities,” she warned.