Asia-Pacific: Activists plan additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations in several countries and territories through November /update 20

Additional pro-Palestinian demonstrations will likely occur in parts of the Asia-Pacific region through November. Well-attended rallies are likely during the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Nov. 29 and other significant developments in the Middle East, prompting localized transport and business disruptions.

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 and Jewish worship sites, government buildings, transport hubs, university campuses, and public squares. As of Oct. 24, Sri Lankan authorities are bolstering security in tourist destinations along the southern and western coasts due to a credible terror threat targeting Israeli nationals; Israel, the US, and multiple other western countries have advised their citizens to avoid, or exercise caution in affected areas until further notice.

Upcoming events include:

• Australia: Weekly gatherings occur at Canberra's Garema Place, Sydney's Hyde Park, and Wollongong's Crown Street Mall on Saturdays. Sunday gatherings occur at Adelaide's Parliament House Steps, Melbourne's State Library Victoria and Parliament House, as well as Brisbane's Queens Garden and King George Square.

• Indonesia: Activists have sporadically gathered near the US embassy in Jakarta. A march will occur 06:00-10:15 Oct. 26 from Alun-alun park to Kujang monument in Bogor, West Java Province.

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

• Malaysia: The weekly march along Jalan Bukit Bintang in downtown Bukit Bintang area will occur 20:30-21:30 on Oct. 26. Activists have also marched from the Tabung Haji mosque to the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur on notable dates.

• 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 near the SK Seorin building at 13:00 as well as outside the Kyobo Bookstore near Gwanghwamun at 14:00.

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, embassies, 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.