Large demonstrations were held across several countries marking al-Quds Day, the annual observance on the final Friday of Ramadan dedicated to expressing support for Palestine and opposition to Israeli occupation.
Despite ongoing hostilities, thousands of people gathered in the Iranian capital of Tehran to participate in the commemoration. Protesters voiced strong criticism of Israel and the United States as the joint US-Israeli military campaign entered its 14th day.
Mass rallies also took place in a number of other countries and regions, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Kashmir, and Yemen, with participants calling for solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the war.
Al-Quds Day was first proclaimed in 1979 by Iran’s founding supreme leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, and has since been observed annually in Iran and by supporters of the Palestinian cause around the world.
This year’s commemoration occurred amid intensified conflict following US-Israeli attacks on Iran that, according to reports, have killed at least 1,444 people, including Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
Iranian state media reported that demonstrations went ahead in Tehran and other cities even as air strikes continued in the region.
Expressions of solidarity were also seen outside Iran. In Kashmir, protesters burned mock coffins bearing the images of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu while chanting slogans criticizing US and Israeli policies.
Meanwhile, authorities in the United Kingdom prohibited the al-Quds Day march in London for the first time in four decades, citing concerns about possible public disorder amid the tense situation in the Middle East. The ban marks the first time since 2012 that officials have barred a protest march in the city, when demonstrations by the English Defence League were blocked.
Figures released by Iran’s Health Ministry state that at least 18,551 people have been wounded in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28.
