Global demonstrations in response to the Middle East crisis

The 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent response across the region triggered a wave of demonstrations around the world, especially in the Middle East, North Africa, Western Europe, and the United States. Over the past year, the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has worsened and violence has spread across the Middle East, most notably into northern Israel and Lebanon, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah have been engaging in an escalating conflict. Following a decline in demonstration activity in the last half of 2024, demonstrations rose in October to their highest levels since May, when university students erected pro-Palestinian demonstration camps across the US. The October bump in demonstrations coincided with the war’s first anniversary and Israel’s pivot to the north with increased strikes against Hezbollah targets and a ground offensive into southern Lebanon.  

For more information about the war in Gaza and its regional implications, see the Middle East crisis hub. For more information on how ACLED captures demonstration events, see the ACLED Codebook and FAQ in ACLED’s Knowledge Base

Interactive map

Use the interactive map below to explore trends around conflict-related demonstrations. The map displays events from 7 October 2023 to 31 October 2024.

Although protests have occurred worldwide, most have been concentrated in the Middle East, Western Europe, North Africa, and the United States. The map provides unique insights into what has characterized protests in these regions. For a further breakdown by country and territory, scroll through the table to see the share of protests in support of Palestine and/or Lebanon, in support of Israel, or calling for a ceasefire and advocating for an end to the hostilities.