Asia-Pacific: Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations likely in several countries and territories through early October /update 18

Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations will occur in parts of the Asia-Pacific Region through at least early October, due to the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. 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, Sydney's Hyde Park, and Wollongong's Crown Street Mall on Saturdays, Adelaide's Parliament House Steps, Melbourne's State Library Victoria to Parliament House, and Brisbane's King George Square on Sundays.

• Indonesia: A rally is planned from Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat to the US embassy in Jakarta from 06:30 Aug. 31; a few hundred participants may attend.

• Japan: Weekly afternoon rallies occur from Friday to Sunday near Kyoto City Hall and multiple urban train stations, such as the Nagoya and Shinjuku stations.

• Malaysia: The weekly march in downtown Bukit Bintang will happen 20:30-21:30 Aug. 31; rallies typically occur on Sunday evenings. Occasional large rallies also occur near the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

• 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.

• South Korea: Weekly rallies occur on Saturday afternoons in Seoul; events happen outside the Kyobo Bookstore near Gwanghwamun at 14:00, as well as near the SK Seorin building at 13:00.

• Sri Lanka: Activists will gather outside the Dawatagaha mosque near Colombo Town Hall from 13:30 Aug. 2.

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.