Protesters condemn Israel’s Gaza operation

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Arab and European countries to protest Israel’s operation in Gaza.

Rallies condemning Israel’s operation in Gaza were held Sunday in countries including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, as well as in London. In Mosul, Iraq, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators.

More than 50,000 protested in cities throughout Egypt, according to the BBC. Demonstrators in Dubai protested in front of the Palestinian consulate.

Police in London arrested three protesters Sunday after a demonstration outside the Israeli Embassy turned violent as a small group of demonstrators attempted to break into the private road where the embassy is located. At least three people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences after riot police were called in to restore order.

The demonstration was organized by Muslim and pro-Palestinian groups, among them the umbrella organization of Muslims in Britain, the Muslim Council of Britain, British Muslim Initiative, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, and others.

Another demonstration was planned for Monday.

On Sunday afternoon demonstrators also managed to block a busy shopping street in West London. The demonstrators held placards calling for the end of the siege on Gaza and for “free Palestine” while chanting “Israel is a terrorist state”and “no justice no peace.”