Asia-Pacific: Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations likely in several countries and territories as of July 4 /update 14

Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations will likely persist in parts of the Asia-Pacific Region as of July 4. In recent months, several groups have organized various rallies in response to 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 are possible.

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 will occur in various parts of the region, notably in capital cities such as Canberra, Seoul, and Tokyo. Well-attended demonstrations are likely to prompt localized transport and business disruptions. 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, Adelaide's Parliament House Steps, Melbourne's State Library Victoria to Parliament House, and Brisbane's King George Square on Sundays.

• Japan: Weekly afternoon rallies occur near Kyoto City Hall and multiple urban train stations, such as the Nagoya and Shinjuku stations. Starting at 13:30 July 7, a protest march will occur from Shibuya Labor Welfare Hall to the French embassy to denounce the holding of the Olympic games during the conflict in Gaza. A large rally is also planned in Tokyo's Koenji area from 14:00 on July 15 during the Marine Day holiday.

• Korea: Weekly rallies occur outside the Kyobo Bookstore near Gwanghwamun, Seoul, at 14:00 on Saturdays. Activists will also gather near the SK Seorin Building in Seoul from 17:00 July 13 to hold a march passing Gwanghwamun and the US and Israeli embassies.

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

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 precaution. In some affected locations, violent altercations between activists and law enforcement officials are possible if the latter attempt to forcibly disperse gatherings or carry out mass arrests.

Militant attacks by Islamist groups remain improbable outside of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Still, 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, will likely 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.