On Friday, in response to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza following a deadly Hamas attack, thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians, as reported by state television.
The demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square after Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr called for a protest “in support of Gaza” and against Israel. AFP journalist stated that they chanted slogans such as “No to the occupation! No to America!”
Amid the protest, a large Israeli flag was placed on the ground for the participants to step on, while they waved Palestinian and Iraqi flags.
According to Abu Kayan, one of the organizers of the protest, the purpose of the rally is to denounce the events unfolding in occupied Palestine, including the bloodshed and rights violations.
The rally site in Baghdad saw a heavy presence of Iraqi security forces, with strict security measures enforced by Moqtada Sadr’s movement, despite not being part of the government but having significant political influence.
The Iraqi government, a supporter of the Palestinian cause, is in favor of the Gaza solidarity movement.
After Palestinian Islamists attacked Israel’s southern border, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 civilians, Israel launched a campaign to “destroy” Hamas, leading to repeated bombings of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and the loss of 1,537 lives.
In the interest of safety, the Israeli army instructed residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes within 24 hours and relocate south of the blockaded area.
