The world is divided over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most of the governments in the northern hemisphere have firmly condemned the attacks by the Hamas terrorist group this weekend. However, not every country has taken this stance. This has been the case in places with significant Muslim communities, such as the United Kingdom, or in some others where solidarity with the Palestinian cause has a long political history.
Some groups haven't fully condemned the terrorist group's attack and claim that the Palestinians are legitimately defending what is owed to them. These groups seem to have ties with left-wing parties. They claim to have an ambiguous position when it comes to the the situation that has shaken the East since Saturday when armed Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip.
Since the beginning of this new wave of clashes, the Israeli government has reported at least 900 deaths, most of which were civilians. Palestinian authorities estimate that 700 people have died in the Gaza Strip as a result of the airstrikes. In Israeli territory, at least 1,000 armed Hamas militants have been killed since Saturday.
Attack on the Sydney Opera House
Police in Sydney, Australia, announced this Tuesday that they opened an investigation into what happened on Monday at the Opera House. Several videos have gone viral on social media of the incident. One shows a rally in support of the people in Palestine. At the rally, a group of people can be seen carrying Palestinian flags. They wore face coverings while vandalizing the building that was lit up with the colors of the Israeli flag.
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA
Vuelven a manifestarse en la Ópera de Sídney, centenares de muslims pro Palestinos y Hamas al grito de ‘gas the jews’
En occidente estamos acogiendo, alimentando y cuidando a nuestros futuros verdugos… pic.twitter.com/xJpZtJL6U5
— Emily Habsburg (@emily_habsburg) October 10, 2023
Some flares were thrown at the building, while, according to Sky News, protesters shouted anti-Semitic chants and insulted the Jewish community. The Australian government described the events as "horrendous."
America is divided
In the United States, many people have posted messages of support to the Israelis and condemned the Hamas attack. However, several clashes have been reported in some of the country's large cities such as New York City and Washington DC.
#IsraelPalestine
Fight erupted in DC protests.Both sides being played
both are 🤡 🤡 🤡 pic.twitter.com/X6tsDKOZJH
— Nomisma (@CryptoLover9523) October 9, 2023
Harvard University issued a statement condemning several student organizations' positions' on the Hamas attack.
As many colleagues, classmates, and friends deal with pain and deep concern about the events in Israel and Gaza, we must all remember that we are one Harvard community, drawn together by a shared passion for learning, discovery, and the pursuit of truth in all its complexity, and held together by a commitment to mutual respect and support. At this moment of challenge, let us embody the care and compassion the world needs now.
The previous statement, signed by more than 20 student organizations, began by stating that the "Israeli regime" was responsible for the deaths of Israeli civilians.
This is the final crack in my broken heart - a joint statement from @Harvard students. I could be sitting in class with these students, watching children brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped and their mutated bodies torn apart by a jeering crowd - and hear why it’s justified. pic.twitter.com/UTi60Y2omJ
— Yael Bar tur (@yaelbt) October 8, 2023
The European Union will not block economic aid
In France, law enforcement agencies have banned several demonstrations in support of Palestine. In cities like Lyon, police had to break up illegal gatherings. In Paris, the authorities authorized a peaceful march organized by Jewish associations in France which ended on Trocadéro Street, in front of the Eiffel Tower which was lit up with the colors of the Israeli flag, as ordered by the Paris City Council.
Thank you to our friends in Paris for giving us hope.
We feel your love
merci beaucoup ❤️🇮🇱🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/sUQJwuzLWu
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 10, 2023
In Spain, hundreds of people gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square. The rally was held in support of Palestine. The FDI's Spanish account shared a video that shows some participants making anti-Semitic threats.
Todo el mundo tiene que condenar el barbarismo contra civiles israelíes por parte de Hamás. pic.twitter.com/KsTrOl8iJU
— FDI (@FDIonline) October 10, 2023
