Preparing for Global Protests to Mark al Quds Day 2025
By TorchStone Senior Analyst, Ben West
Al Quds Day will fall on Friday, March 28 this year and pro-Palestine activists are planning protests and rallies around the world. While al Quds day protests in the West have been largely peaceful in recent years, tensions appear to be increasing this year around the arrests of student protest leaders, resumption of fighting in Gaza, and domestic Israeli opposition to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. For more on staying safe during protests, please see our guidance from April 2024.
Concerns Surrounding al Quds Day Protests
Al Quds Day is observed every year on the last Friday of Ramadan—which this year will fall on March 28. The annual tradition began in Iran as a day intended to support Palestine through demonstrations and appeals to political leaders. While the vast majority of al Quds day protests are peaceful and orderly, there is a precedent for anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment and, occasionally, violence. Iranian leaders frequently use the day to espouse antisemitic ideology and threaten Israel. Organizations and individuals (especially those affiliated with Israel or Judaism) should be aware of al Quds day-related actions and take precautionary measures where necessary.
Additionally, many pro-Israeli and Jewish communities plan counter-protests against al Quds Day protests, raising the possibility of clashes between the two sides. TorchStone is already aware of calls to counter-protest planned Quds day protests.
As an indication of what to expect in 2025, we can look back to key events during the 2024 al Quds Day protest, which fell on April 7.
- London – Police arrested ten people among thousands of demonstrators that marched to 10 Downing Street. The offending protesters were arrested for inciting racial hatred after burning an Israeli flag and another was arrested for making homophobic remarks. Others who confronted the police over the arrests were also detained. Coverage of the protest indicated that a small group of counter-protesters were also present.
- Houston – An al-Quds day protest evolved into clashes outside a police station after authorities arrested several demonstrators. Police arrested three protesters for obstructing traffic.
- New York—The Columbia University Gaza Solidarity Encampment began within a week of al Quds Day in April 2024 and eventually spread to campuses around the world over the spring and summer of 2024. Those protests resulted in thousands of arrests.
Dynamics Shaping 2025 al Quds Day Protests
This year, al Quds Day occurs as multiple factors are driving an increase in protest activity: the arrests of student protest leaders, opposition to President Trump’s administration, anger over the end of the Gaza ceasefire, and domestic Israeli anger at their prime minister. These can all contribute to larger—potentially more volatile—al Quds Day protests this year.
While the university protests have largely died down over the past 6 months, there are signs that they could be returning. The April 8 arrest and attempted deportation of Columbia University protest organizer, Mahmoud Khalil, has rejuvenated pro-Palestine protests – especially in Manhattan – and merged them with anti-Trump protests. On March 13, police arrested nearly 100 people who occupied the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan to protest Khalil’s arrest. Activists opposed to President Trump’s pro-Israel stance and efforts to deport non-citizens have especially rallied to support Khalil, whom they view as a victim of both policies. Promotions for the al Quds Day protest in New York on March 30 have already attracted thousands of engagements on social media, suggesting that the gathering in Union Square this year will be quite large.
Another factor that will contribute to large al Quds Day protests is the sudden end of the cease-fire in Gaza on March 18. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel had resumed combat in Gaza with “full force” and promised that strikes on Gaza would continue. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was quick to organize “emergency protests” against the end of the ceasefire, leading to demonstrations around the world, including Chicago, Belfast, and Dallas, just to name a few.
Israeli activists also reacted strongly against their Prime Minister’s threats on March 18, leading to over 40,000 protesters gathering in central Tel Aviv calling for a resumption of the ceasefire, the return of Israeli hostages, and Netanyahu’s resignation.
So far, TorchStone is tracking formal efforts to organize five al Quds Day protests in major cities around the world. We anticipate more protest announcements over the coming days. Most protests are unlikely to be publicly announced beforehand and protests throughout most of the Muslim world tend to develop spontaneously after Friday prayers.
March 28: US Consulate, Sandton, South Africa
Appropriate Response to Protests
While physical safety is a concern in these protests, getting caught out in a protest also poses a risk to personal and organizational reputations. Individuals unintentionally encountering protesters should maintain a calm, composed, and neutral demeanor, and refrain from confrontations or provocations. Stay mindful of your surroundings and identify possible escape routes in case of escalation or danger. Familiarize yourself with nearby buildings, landmarks, and safe areas. Furthermore, if the situation becomes volatile or unsafe, individuals should immediately seek refuge in nearby buildings or relocate to a secure area until it is safe to depart, adhering to the guidance provided by law enforcement or security personnel if they are present. For more guidance on preparing for and managing civil unrest, please read the following article: Keeping Executives Safe During Protests.
When engaging with protest and civil unrest, it is also important to have Situational Understanding as well as Situational Awareness. Every protest is different. Understanding local dynamics, grievances, and how you and your organization fit into those grievances are key to determining a response. Ignoring the threat out of a sense of political correctness risks property damage and even the health of your employees. Conversely, overreacting to a situation could just make it worse, attracting unwanted attention.