Asia-Pacific: Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations likely in several countries and territories through at least early January /update 6

Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations are likely to continue in parts of the Asia-Pacific region through at least early January. In recent weeks, several groups have organized various types of rallies in response to the developments in the Middle East. While most events have remained largely peaceful and small in scale, larger gatherings involving thousands of participants have taken place in several urban centers, predominantly in Muslim-majority countries, such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, especially after congregational prayers on Friday afternoons. Counterdemonstrations by pro-Israeli groups and isolated clashes between security forces, protesters, and counterprotesters have also sporadically occurred; further acts of violence cannot be ruled out. Heightened security measures will almost certainly continue near popular protest sites, including US and Israeli diplomatic missions, Israeli businesses, Muslim worship sites, government buildings, train stations, and public squares.

In the coming days and weeks, small rallies are planned throughout the region, notably in capital cities such as Canberra, Seoul, and Wellington. Well-attended protests are likely to prompt localized traffic disruptions and may disrupt local business operations. Upcoming gatherings that are likely to attract significant attendance include the following:

• Australia: Various pro-Palestinian organizations are holding additional weekend demonstrations in parks and outside government buildings of several cities, including Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Sydney, Dec. 16-17; previous gatherings have attracted tens of thousands of attendees. Unionized healthcare workers will also gather near parliament buildings in Adelaide and Brisbane the evening of Dec. 15.

• Japan: Rallies will happen in Tokyo, with events planned near the US embassy Dec. 16, and outside the National Diet building Dec. 19.

• New Zealand: Activists regularly gather at several locations on weekend afternoons, including the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch, Aotea Square in Auckland, and the steps of Parliament in Wellington.

• South Korea: Weekly demonstrations continue near the Israeli Embassy in Seoul at 14:00 on Saturdays and/or Sundays; hundreds of people may participate. Marches will also occur in Seomyeon of downtown Busan Dec. 17, and along Rodeo Street in Guwol-dong of Incheon Dec. 22.

Some foreign governments, including US diplomatic missions, have previously issued advisories for citizens to avoid demonstrations in certain countries, such as Pakistan, due to the potential for violence. Authorities in some regions like Singapore and several states in India and Australia have also barred protests related to developments in the Middle East as a security precaution. In some affected locations, violent altercations between activists and law enforcement are possible if police attempt to forcibly disperse gatherings or carry out mass arrests.

Militant attacks by Islamist groups remain improbable outside of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but minor-scale actions cannot be discounted, particularly in countries with known militant activity, such as India and Indonesia, as well as southern Thailand and the Philippines. Heightened security measures, including pedestrian and vehicular checks, patrols, and traffic restrictions, are likely to continue near Jewish places of worship, educational institutions, and other sensitive sites. Enhanced responses to potential security incidents, including suspicious packages, armed attacks, and bomb threats, are likely throughout the region until at least January.