• On October 10, the Hamas terrorist organization issued a call for public mobilization globally in support of the Palestinians.
• The call appealed to the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim people, as well as “the free people of the world” to mobilize on Friday [October 13] and “march towards the borders of beloved Palestine in huge crowds” in solidarity with the Palestinians.
• The campaign is designated by Hamas as the “Friday of al-Aqsa Flood.”
• On October 11, a senior leader and founding member of Hamas, Khaled Mashal, gave a speech in which he urged Muslims around the world to conduct jihad for the sake of Palestinians. He encouraged Muslims to express anger in their respective states, provide financial support, and exert political pressure on their respective leaders to “stop Israel’s invasion in Gaza.”
• He also urged Muslims in neighboring countries to march towards “Palestine’s” borders with whatever means they have.

Americas

• In the Americas region, pro-Palestinian groups have called for protests in several major cities regionwide, including in Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela between October 11-15. The latest details regarding the upcoming protests can be found here.
• Recent protests have largely witnessed a turnout ranging in the low-to-mid thousands especially in cities of Buenos Aires, Santiago, and New York City. Other cities such as Caracas, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo have witnessed a turnout ranging in the mid to high hundreds.
• While large-scale unrest has been limited, instances of vandalism near Israeli Embassies, as witnessed in Santiago on October 8, in addition to localized scuffles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups, as witnessed outside the UN headquarters in San Fransisco, USA on October 8, have been recorded.
• Meanwhile various countries have reinforced security measures near synagogues, other Jewish sites of worship, and Israeli Embassies since October 8. Authorities in Argentina, Canada, and the USA reinforced the security of Jewish and Israeli institutions. In Argentina, authorities further declared a state of alert at land and sea borders, and at airports. In the USA, security has been bolstered near Jewish and Israeli-linked sites in Arizona, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, and New York City, NY. However, reports quoting Jewish community officials indicate “no imminent threat” against Jewish and Israeli targets, although they maintain a “high” alert level.
• While law enforcement officials have yet to raise the threat levels, authorities regionwide have been calling for vigilance over the coming days. This includes New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has asked residents to beware of “lone wolf attacks” as of October 11.

Asia

• A small number of groups in Muslim-majority countries in Asia, such as Pakistan and Malaysia, have issued calls for pro-Palestinian gatherings on October 13.
• While protest calls by major organizations in Bangladesh and Indonesia have yet to be issued for October 13, demonstrations in these countries are also likely to take place with little to no notice.
• The gatherings in the Muslim-majority nations have transpired peacefully with turnouts ranging in the high-dozens to the low-hundreds. In Jakarta, Indonesia, protests have repeatedly occurred outside the US Embassy on October 10-11.
• In Australia, pro-Palestinian activists have called for demonstrations in Brisbane and Canberra on October 13. At a pro-Palestinian rally outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on October 9, anti-Israel slogans were reportedly raised, and the Israeli flag burned. No protest calls have been made for October 13 in Sydney however a rally has been planned for October 15. Local authorities have announced that such a rally would be ‘unauthorized.’ On October 11, the New South Wales (NSW) police commenced ‘Operation Shield’ to increase security measures at Jewish establishments, including hospitals, schools, as well as synagogues, across Sydney.

Europe

• There have been calls from multiple pro-Palestinian groups to hold demonstrations in major cities across Europe on and around October 13. In most cases, these have been supported by far-left groups. Protests by pro-Palestinian groups have so far recorded attendances in low hundreds to low thousands, with major cities and those with larger Muslim populations witnessing higher turnouts.
• These protests have been disruptive and confrontational, although incidents of violence or direct clashes with counter-protesters or police have been limited. That said, as in Paris, police have forcibly dispersed protesters in some cases, especially as Hamas is a prohibited organization in some countries, allowing police to arrest supporters. Localized confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and supporters of Israel or opponents to Hamas’ actions have been recorded at multiple events, although physical violence has remained rare.
• Pro-Palestinian groups and individuals have also carried out property damage in multiple locations, including vandalizing public structures, Jewish-associated shops or businesses, and removed pro-Israel signs or Israeli flags.
• For the latest details on protests in Europe in the coming days please click here. Details of subsequent protests will be sent on a regular basis via Europe Tactical reports.

Sub-Saharan Africa

• In South Africa, the Johannesburg and Cape Town Jewish communities have reportedly increased security measures for community areas and facilities. Two pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place peacefully on October 11. Another demonstration is planned at Wits University in Johannesburg on October 13, and further pro-Palestinian protests are likely to be organized in major cities of South Africa in the coming weeks.
• The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a Shiite organization, reportedly held an anti-Israel protest and set fire to an Israeli flag in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 9. The group does not widely publicize its protest plans in advance and further demonstrations could occur in Abuja.
• A small pro-Palestinian vigil has been planned in Nairobi, Kenya, for October 14. Israel’s diplomatic presence in East Africa is based in Nairobi and is likely to have reinforced security, along with other Israeli diplomatic facilities across the continent.
• Al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab released multiple radio communications in Somalia in recent days praising Hamas and its actions in Israel. Propaganda in support of Palestinians is likely to accompany al-Shabaab actions in the coming weeks and months.

1. The call by Hamas and Khaled Mashal is rare as it appeals to global Muslim, Arab, and pro-Palestinian communities who generally express anti-Israel sentiments during such escalations. At the current juncture, Hamas’ reputation has suffered in the West amid condemnation by governments and extensive media coverage of Hamas operatives’ killing of Israeli civilians on October 8. Hamas is likely also concerned that the scale of the Israeli operation in Gaza will constitute an Israeli effort to destroy Hamas and render it incapable of governing the Gaza Strip. Hamas’ call for global mobilization and support is thus aimed at further destabilizing Israel, undermining its global position, and fueling the narrative of the so-called “the unity of arenas,” in which Hamas is bolstered by its allies in the fight against Israel. The selected date is symbolic as it would constitute the first Friday (the holy day in Islam) since the breakout of hostilities.
2. The call will likely exacerbate already heightened tensions globally between pro- and anti-Israel groups. Pro-Palestinian groups and population segments are likely to call for extensive protests in major cities in solidarity with Palestinians. Anti-Israel, as well as anti-US sentiments, are likely to be very high, and the risk of assaults against those perceived as Israeli/pro-Israeli/Jewish will be elevated, as well as US citizens, albeit to a lesser extent. It cannot be ruled out that fringe elements among pro-Palestinian groups will attempt to conduct attacks against Jewish community centers or members, as well as Israeli government facilities, such as embassies.

MENA region

This risk will be heightened throughout the MENA region, where mass protests will likely be held in major cities, and the potential for militant attacks against Israeli/Jewish travelers, Jewish centers, and/or Israel-linked facilities will be higher. In countries bordering Israel, especially those with a large Palestinian community like Lebanon and Jordan, pro-Palestinian groups and population segments are liable to attempt to infiltrate Israel through border fences. This will increase Israeli security forces’ alertness along the borders and will likely prompt localized instances of clashes with infiltrating groups. It may also prompt some disruptions to travel at border crossings, such as the ones connecting Jordan and Israel. Within the Israeli-Palestinian arena, the risks of major instances of violent unrest will be higher across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, together with the risk of militant attacks. Unrest is also liable to be recorded in mixed or Arab-majority cities in Israel.

1. Avoid the general vicinity of all pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel demonstrations on October 13 as well as over the coming days given the tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict and potential for unrest.
2. Maintain heightened vigilance worldwide for potential attacks near Israeli and US embassies, synagogues, and other Jewish establishments.
3. Alert authorities immediately upon witnessing suspicious items or behavior.
4. Public, private, and third sector organizations are advised to increase awareness of threats on social media using threat monitoring services. Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from online fringe groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.
5. Israeli and Jewish people are advised to keep a low profile in the public sphere due to the tensions resulting from the conflict. Avoid revealing your identity and religion or political inclinations.
6. For any questions and risk assessments, please contact intel@max-security.com.