Cities throughout the world experienced acts of alleged Islamist terrorism and anti-Israel demonstrations on Friday, following calls by the former chief of Hamas for the Islamic world to partake in a global “Day of Rage.”
For context, Hamas is an Iranian-backed terrorist organization that launched a horrific attack against Israel earlier this week, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,200 innocent civilians. Days after the initial attack, Khaled Meshaal, Hamas’ ex-chief (2004-2017) who resides in Qatar, called for worldwide demonstrations in support of Palestinians living in Gaza and Muslim-majority Middle Eastern countries to wage war against Israel. He also claimed the day represents a “moment for the application” of jihad.
“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday,” Meshaal said. “To all scholars who teach jihad … to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application [of jihad].”
“The entire planet will be under our law, there will be no more Jews or Christian traitors,” he added.
Several acts of violence and anti-Israel demonstrations have since been reported in cities across the world on Friday that appear to be in response to Meshaal’s call to action.
France
In Arras, a Chechnyan man was arrested by law enforcement after stabbing several adults at a local school. While no children were harmed, early reports indicate at least one adult was killed and two injured. According to France24, the suspect allegedly shouted “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great,” in Arabic, at some point during the attack.
The suspect was also reportedly on a “state watchlist of known people to be a possible security risk,” according to Reuters.
China
An Israeli national who worked at the country’s Beijing-based embassy was reportedly stabbed on Friday. While the attacker’s nationality remains unknown, Chinese authorities claimed the suspect is a 53-year-old “foreign national” who has “operated a small retail business in Beijing.” According to embassy officials, the victim has been hospitalized and remains in stable condition.
A video circulating social media on Friday appears to show the suspect in question stabbing the victim before hobbling away.
Jordan
Jordanian police were forced to disperse pro-Palestinian demonstrators after the latter attempted “to reach a border zone with the Israeli-occupied West Bank.” According to Reuters, witnesses claimed, “Police fired tear gas to halt about 500 demonstrators who had reached a security checkpoint outside the capital Amman on a highway leading to a main border crossing.” The nation’s government had previously declared anti-Israel demonstrations near the area off-limits.
Iran
According to the New York Post, video evidence from Iran shows thousands of the nation’s residents “taking to the streets … burning not only Israel’s flag but the American flag as well.” Demonstrators also reportedly chanted phrases such as “End of Israel” and “Down with USA.”
Other Middle Eastern Nations
In addition to Iran and Jordan, a bevy of other Middle Eastern nations also experienced pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrations on Friday. This list includes Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Oman, Qatar, and Yemen, according to Bloomberg News.
Washington State
Students at the University of Washington held a demonstration in support of Hamas on Friday, in which attendees reportedly chanted for the “one solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In praising Hamas, one attendee claimed the terrorist organization is “fighting for their people [and] fighting for their country back.”
“What America is promoting is that Israel is a victim. For what? For Hamas defending their people?” the girl said.
California
Students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) held an anti-Israel gathering, in which participants could be heard shouting “intifada, intifada,” a term often used by Arab demonstrators invoking the memory of past Palestinian uprisings in the Jewish state.
Italy
Video footage posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon showed Italian police officers in Rome beating back violent pro-Hamas demonstrators.
This article has been updated since publication to include additional anti-Israel demonstrations and actions.
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