Asia-Pacific: Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned in several countries and territories as of May 29 /update 11

Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations are likely to persist in parts of the Asia-Pacific region as of late May. In recent months, several groups have organized various types of rallies in response to the developments in the Middle East. Most demonstrations are small in scale and peaceful. However, larger gatherings involving thousands of participants have occurred, predominantly after congregational prayers on Friday afternoons in urban centers of Muslim-majority countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan. 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 gathering sites, including US and Israeli diplomatic missions, Israeli businesses, Muslim worship sites, government buildings, train stations, university campuses, and public squares.

Additional rallies are planned in various parts of the region, notably in capital cities such as Canberra, Seoul, and Tokyo. Well-attended demonstrations are likely to prompt localized traffic disruptions and local business operations. As of May 29, upcoming gatherings that are likely to attract significant attendance include the following:

• Australia: Various pro-Palestinian organizations continue to hold regular weekly demonstrations in parks and outside government buildings of several cities, including Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney; previous gatherings have attracted tens of thousands of attendees. Weekly gatherings typically occur at Canberra's Garema Place and Sydney's Hyde Park on Saturdays, and Adelaide's Parliament House Steps, Melbourne's State Library Victoria, and Brisbane's King George Square on Sundays.

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

• Pakistan: The Jamaat-e-Islami party has called for protests in all cities the afternoon of May 31; press clubs, prominent mosques, and major intersections are likely gathering points. A large rally will also occur along Karachi's Shahrah-e-Faisal road from 16:00 June 2; a few thousand people may attend the event.

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 in the coming months.