• Pro-Palestinian and Jewish activist groups have announced protests, marches, and vigils from October 7-9, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.  
• Demonstrations have been announced in cities regionwide, including in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA. 

1. The anniversary protests are being held amid heightened tensions due to Israel’s operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with tensions exacerbated by the killing of Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah, during its strike on Hezbollah’s Central Headquarters in Beirut on September 27.  

Canada & USA  

1. Pro-Palestinian protest activity in North America seemingly gained momentum in the past week, with protests reported across major cities in the USA and Canada, not only in solidarity with Palestinians but also in support of Lebanon. The protests were largely held to demand a ceasefire and denounce US support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and against the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which are part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) offensive against Hezbollah. Protesters are also demanding that the US government impose an arms embargo on Israel.  
2. Given precedent of multiple protests in recent days, including in Canada and the USA on September 27 and 29, and October 5, in addition to high social media traction, the demonstrations are expected to draw a high turnout in Canada and the USA. Upcoming protests in major cities including Toronto, New York City, and Washington DC are anticipated to witness high turnouts in the low-to-mid tens of thousands. Meanwhile, the protest in Puerto Rico is will likely draw lower turnouts in the mid-to-high hundreds. Additionally, ad-hoc pro-Palestinian protests and events can be expected on university campuses in the USA. 
3. These protests are likely to include crowds engaging in provocative antisemitic sloganeering, vandalism of storefronts, landmarks, or other public infrastructure, use of pyrotechnics, burning of the Israeli or host countries’ flags or effigies depicting prominent political leaders and officials, or traffic blockades on major motorways. In addition, vandalism of companies perceived to be complicit in the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly defense manufacturing firms, remains likely. 
4. In response to the heightened Pro-Palestinian protest activity, there is a credible potential for pro-Israel counter-protests on the same days. They will likely be held around key public squares, mosques, synagogues, or other Jewish buildings, government buildings, and Israeli diplomatic missions in major cities. Spontaneous and planned counter-protests specifically aimed at disrupting these events can be expected. These protests can potentially turn violent with participants engaging in clashes and vandalism destroying property. Given these circumstances, the bolstered security measures, including riot police, can be expected to be deployed at the pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests to mitigate unrest and violence. In the cases of security forces using forcible measures such as tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds, there is potential for clashes between the protesters and security personnel. 

Mexico  

1. The upcoming demonstrations in Guadalajara and Mexico City are likely to witness a turnout in the high hundreds-to-mid thousands. These protests are likely to transpire peacefully, without any instances of major unrest. That said, isolated incidents of small-scale vandalism or disruptions of establishments perceived as pro-Israel cannot be ruled out. Regardless, a bolstered security presence can be expected near the protest locations to monitor proceedings and establish ad-hoc road closures. In addition, significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be expected near the slated protest locations. 

South & Central America  

1. Based on previous pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, the protest actions are expected to draw turnouts ranging between mid-to-high hundreds, with the highest turnouts expected in Bogota and Buenos Aires. Protests in other cities such as Asuncion, Montevideo, and San Juan will likely witness lower turnouts in the high dozens to low hundreds. 
2. All protests are expected to transpire peacefully, without any instances of major unrest. Additionally, ad-hoc protests in the vicinity of prominent public squares, near government offices, and near Israeli diplomatic offices remain likely. A bolstered security presence can be expected near all protest locations, regardless of the potential for them to escalate, to monitor proceedings, and establish ad-hoc road closures. In addition, significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be expected near the slated protest locations. 

1. Those residing or operating in Canada and the USA on October 7-9 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the aforementioned locations due to the risk of civil unrest and potential vandalism incidents near Israeli diplomatic buildings, synagogues, and other Jewish establishments.  
2. Israeli and Jewish individuals residing or operating in Canada and the USA on October 7-9 are advised to keep a low profile in the public sphere due to the tensions resulting from the Israel-Gaza conflict. Consider keeping a low profile and limiting the wearing or presenting of overt signs or symbols associated with Judaism or Israel. Those that wear the traditional Jewish head covering (kippah), are advised to consider wearing an additional head covering, such as a baseball cap.  
3. Those residing or operating in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay on October 7-9 are advised to allot for disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to the slated demonstrations.