19
Jan 2025
11:20 UTC
Europe Tactical (UPDATE): Protests related to Israel-Hamas conflict to take place in several cities on January 19-20; maintain heightened vigilance
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict will take place in several European cities on January 19-20, the details of which are as follows:
- In Brussels, Belgium, a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies will take place outside the US Embassy at 18:30 (local time) on January 20. The protest coincides with President Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
- The protest group claims Trump’s agenda is a “direct attack” against “democratic, pro-Palestinian, pro-climate, feminist, anti-racist and pacific values.”
Source: Facebook
- In Brussels, Belgium, a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies will take place outside the US Embassy at 18:30 (local time) on January 20. The protest coincides with President Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
- The protest group claims Trump’s agenda is a “direct attack” against “democratic, pro-Palestinian, pro-climate, feminist, anti-racist and pacific values.”
Source: Facebook
- In Nicosia, Cyprus, a protest is slated to be held at 14:30 outside the US embassy on January 20.
- The protest is being called to denounce US President Donald Trump’s return to office and ongoing US support for Israel.
Source: Instagram
- In Nicosia, Cyprus, a protest is slated to be held at 14:30 outside the US embassy on January 20.
- The protest is being called to denounce US President Donald Trump’s return to office and ongoing US support for Israel.
Source: Instagram
- In Sweden, a pro-Palestinian protest is slated to be held at 14:00 at the Malmo Opera House in Malmo on January 19.
Source: Facebook
- In Sweden, a pro-Palestinian protest is slated to be held at 14:00 at the Malmo Opera House in Malmo on January 19.
Source: Facebook
- In the UK, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) group is calling for a protest at 18:00 outside the Camden Town Hall in London on January 20.
- The protest is being called to demand the divestment of the council pension fund from companies that support Israel.
Source: X/Twitter
- In the UK, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) group is calling for a protest at 18:00 outside the Camden Town Hall in London on January 20.
- The protest is being called to demand the divestment of the council pension fund from companies that support Israel.
Source: X/Twitter
- Separately, on January 18 a pro-Palestinian legal company filed a complaint against an Israeli national for “war crimes” during their military service, while they were visiting Barcelona, Spain.
Source: HindRajab
- Separately, on January 18 a pro-Palestinian legal company filed a complaint against an Israeli national for “war crimes” during their military service, while they were visiting Barcelona, Spain.
Source: HindRajab
- Moreover, in Berlin, Germany clashes broke out at a pro-Palestinian demonstration attended by some 650 people at Oranienplatz on January 18. Protesters reportedly threw glass bottles and other projectiles at police officers.
Source: Bild
- Moreover, in Berlin, Germany clashes broke out at a pro-Palestinian demonstration attended by some 650 people at Oranienplatz on January 18. Protesters reportedly threw glass bottles and other projectiles at police officers.
Source: Bild
- In London, UK 77 people were arrested at a mass pro-Palestinian protest organized by the PSC on January 18. Authorities claim that 65 of those arrested were in breach of the security cordon around the British Broadcasting Agency’s building due to its close proximity to a synagogue.
Source: Express
- In London, UK 77 people were arrested at a mass pro-Palestinian protest organized by the PSC on January 18. Authorities claim that 65 of those arrested were in breach of the security cordon around the British Broadcasting Agency’s building due to its close proximity to a synagogue.
Source: Express
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent and the mobilizational capabilities of the organizers, the protests in Malmo and in Nicosia are likely to see turnouts ranging from high dozens to low hundreds. The protest in London is likely to see a turnout in the low-to-mid thousands.
- In addition to the planned protests, spontaneous pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations are likely to occur regionwide in the coming days given heightened tensions over the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Further, protests by pro-Palestinian groups denouncing President Trump’s support for Israel are highly likely on January 20 given the inauguration. Such protests are likely to take place near central government buildings, main squares, Israeli and US diplomatic missions, and Jewish community spaces.
- Based on recent protests on January 18, any planned or spontaneous demonstrations carry a heightened potential for unrest in the form of clashes between protesters and police. The risk is especially elevated in cities with notable far-left presence, such as Berlin and Athens, as these groups often participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and are known to target police. Further, the potential for pro-Israel counter-protests also remains, increasing the risk for clashes between opposing groups.
- Given this, a reinforced security presence is expected near protest locations to monitor proceedings. In the case of escalating unrest, police are liable to use forcible dispersal methods, including using tear gas or conducting mass arrests.
- Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement, including road closures, disruptions to public transportation, and traffic diversions, should be anticipated near the protest locations.
- Additionally, the complaint filed against the Israeli national in Barcelona is notable, as it highlights a growing risk posed to Israelis traveling abroad – particularly soldiers and veterans. At least 12 complaints have been filed against Israelis abroad in recent weeks, including in Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Sweden.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Europe on January 19-20 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict due to the elevated potential for unrest.
- Allot for travel-related disruptions in the vicinity of the protest locations.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Europe
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict will take place in several European cities on January 19-20, the details of which are as follows:
- In Brussels, Belgium, a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies will take place outside the US Embassy at 18:30 (local time) on January 20. The protest coincides with President Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
- The protest group claims Trump’s agenda is a “direct attack” against “democratic, pro-Palestinian, pro-climate, feminist, anti-racist and pacific values.”
Source: Facebook
- In Brussels, Belgium, a protest against President Donald Trump and his policies will take place outside the US Embassy at 18:30 (local time) on January 20. The protest coincides with President Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
- The protest group claims Trump’s agenda is a “direct attack” against “democratic, pro-Palestinian, pro-climate, feminist, anti-racist and pacific values.”
Source: Facebook
- In Nicosia, Cyprus, a protest is slated to be held at 14:30 outside the US embassy on January 20.
- The protest is being called to denounce US President Donald Trump’s return to office and ongoing US support for Israel.
Source: Instagram
- In Nicosia, Cyprus, a protest is slated to be held at 14:30 outside the US embassy on January 20.
- The protest is being called to denounce US President Donald Trump’s return to office and ongoing US support for Israel.
Source: Instagram
- In Sweden, a pro-Palestinian protest is slated to be held at 14:00 at the Malmo Opera House in Malmo on January 19.
Source: Facebook
- In Sweden, a pro-Palestinian protest is slated to be held at 14:00 at the Malmo Opera House in Malmo on January 19.
Source: Facebook
- In the UK, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) group is calling for a protest at 18:00 outside the Camden Town Hall in London on January 20.
- The protest is being called to demand the divestment of the council pension fund from companies that support Israel.
Source: X/Twitter
- In the UK, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) group is calling for a protest at 18:00 outside the Camden Town Hall in London on January 20.
- The protest is being called to demand the divestment of the council pension fund from companies that support Israel.
Source: X/Twitter
- Separately, on January 18 a pro-Palestinian legal company filed a complaint against an Israeli national for “war crimes” during their military service, while they were visiting Barcelona, Spain.
Source: HindRajab
- Separately, on January 18 a pro-Palestinian legal company filed a complaint against an Israeli national for “war crimes” during their military service, while they were visiting Barcelona, Spain.
Source: HindRajab
- Moreover, in Berlin, Germany clashes broke out at a pro-Palestinian demonstration attended by some 650 people at Oranienplatz on January 18. Protesters reportedly threw glass bottles and other projectiles at police officers.
Source: Bild
- Moreover, in Berlin, Germany clashes broke out at a pro-Palestinian demonstration attended by some 650 people at Oranienplatz on January 18. Protesters reportedly threw glass bottles and other projectiles at police officers.
Source: Bild
- In London, UK 77 people were arrested at a mass pro-Palestinian protest organized by the PSC on January 18. Authorities claim that 65 of those arrested were in breach of the security cordon around the British Broadcasting Agency’s building due to its close proximity to a synagogue.
Source: Express
- In London, UK 77 people were arrested at a mass pro-Palestinian protest organized by the PSC on January 18. Authorities claim that 65 of those arrested were in breach of the security cordon around the British Broadcasting Agency’s building due to its close proximity to a synagogue.
Source: Express
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent and the mobilizational capabilities of the organizers, the protests in Malmo and in Nicosia are likely to see turnouts ranging from high dozens to low hundreds. The protest in London is likely to see a turnout in the low-to-mid thousands.
- In addition to the planned protests, spontaneous pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations are likely to occur regionwide in the coming days given heightened tensions over the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Further, protests by pro-Palestinian groups denouncing President Trump’s support for Israel are highly likely on January 20 given the inauguration. Such protests are likely to take place near central government buildings, main squares, Israeli and US diplomatic missions, and Jewish community spaces.
- Based on recent protests on January 18, any planned or spontaneous demonstrations carry a heightened potential for unrest in the form of clashes between protesters and police. The risk is especially elevated in cities with notable far-left presence, such as Berlin and Athens, as these groups often participate in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and are known to target police. Further, the potential for pro-Israel counter-protests also remains, increasing the risk for clashes between opposing groups.
- Given this, a reinforced security presence is expected near protest locations to monitor proceedings. In the case of escalating unrest, police are liable to use forcible dispersal methods, including using tear gas or conducting mass arrests.
- Significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement, including road closures, disruptions to public transportation, and traffic diversions, should be anticipated near the protest locations.
- Additionally, the complaint filed against the Israeli national in Barcelona is notable, as it highlights a growing risk posed to Israelis traveling abroad – particularly soldiers and veterans. At least 12 complaints have been filed against Israelis abroad in recent weeks, including in Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Sweden.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Europe on January 19-20 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance near protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict due to the elevated potential for unrest.
- Allot for travel-related disruptions in the vicinity of the protest locations.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Europe
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
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Related Reports
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