NEW YORK) – Bünyamin Sürmeli – In New York on Monday, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in protest in various neighborhoods of Manhattan on the first anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war. The march started in front of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street and continued for nearly five hours to Washington Square Park.
During the demonstrations, Israel’s attacks on Gaza were harshly criticized. The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and chanted “Free, Free Palestine” and “Gaza”. Accompanied by drums, the protesters demanded an end to the ongoing Israeli attacks despite the United Nations Security Council’s calls for a ceasefire.
During the protest, there were tensions between the police and the protesters from time to time. Many people were detained as a result of the intervention of the security forces.
Ongoing Crisis in Gaza
On October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel, Israel launched counter-strikes that led to a massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to local health officials, nearly 42,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 97,300 injured in Gaza since last year. Israeli attacks have displaced almost the entire population of Gaza and a blockade continues in the territory, leading to shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
Israel’s actions in Gaza are the subject of an ongoing genocide trial at the International Court of Justice, while Israeli attacks continue despite pressure from the international community.
The massive protest in New York came at a time of ongoing demonstrations in support of Palestine, not only in the US but around the world. Demonstrators called on the international community to do more to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
