Global pro-Palestinian protests mark two years of Gaza genocide

ANKARA, Turkey (MNTV) — Tens of thousands of people around the world rallied on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the Gaza genocide, condemning Israel’s ongoing offensive and calling for an immediate ceasefire as the humanitarian catastrophe deepens across the besieged enclave.

From Jakarta to Tokyo, Istanbul to London, demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Genocide,” decrying Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the detention of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to breach the naval siege last week.

In Istanbul, the iconic Galata Tower was illuminated in the colors of the Palestinian flag in a show of solidarity. Turkish authorities also canceled a concert by British singer Robbie Williams, citing security concerns linked to the day’s protests.

Demonstrators gathered outside the Israeli Consulate, chanting slogans condemning the Gaza blockade and calling on Ankara to take stronger diplomatic measures.

In Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, over 1,000 protesters marched toward the U.S. Embassy, demanding the release of detained flotilla members and an end to the Israeli military campaign.

Police deployed more than a thousand officers to secure the area. Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, maintains no formal diplomatic ties with Israel and has consistently called for global recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Two years on, Israel’s genocide has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population of two million, and leveled large parts of the territory, according to humanitarian agencies. Gaza City is now facing what the United Nations has described as “near-famine conditions.”

The war’s effects continue to reverberate across the Middle East. Israel, in these two years, has attacked 7 countries in the region and across, while regional security was jeopardized after Israel launched 12-day war with Iran in June 2025.

In Tokyo, hundreds of demonstrators—including Japanese citizens and Palestinians living in Japan—marched through downtown streets demanding a permanent ceasefire and sanctions against Israel. Similar protests were held in Osaka and Nagoya.

“Recognizing the state of Palestine is not enough if governments remain complicit in genocide,” said Tokyo resident Lena Grace Suda during the rally. A candlelight vigil was also organized in Taiwan to honor the victims in Gaza.

Across Europe, U.S. embassies in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Norway, and several other countries issued security alerts to American citizens, warning of possible unrest tied to the anniversary demonstrations.

In the United States, pro-Palestinian activists described an escalating climate of fear and repression, as arrests, firings, and surveillance have intensified.

“People are risking careers and safety to stand for Gaza,” said Hazami Barmada, an American activist. Tech entrepreneur Paul Biggar, who founded Tech for Palestine, said that while state scrutiny has worsened, solidarity has grown. “Public opinion has completely changed—even in corporate and political spaces,” he added.

Despite government crackdowns, activists say their movement has only strengthened. “The more authorities suppress dissent, the more people wake up,” said CODEPINK campaigner Jenin. “We’re witnessing the largest global solidarity movement for Palestine in modern history.”

As Israel’s genocide enters its third year, calls for accountability continue to mount, with international courts and human rights bodies urging investigations into alleged war crimes.