On Sunday, anti-war demonstrators assembled at the US consulate in Admiralty to urge Washington to cease obstructing the pro-Palestinian movement during Israel’s U.S.-backed conflict in Gaza.

The organization — HK Anti-war Mobilization — informed HKFP on Sunday that the consulate contacted the police, who then proceeded to search and identify the five activists, cautioning them against potential violations of the national security law.

“Last week, Israel dismantled the ceasefire agreement by initially halting hostage exchanges, followed by cutting off water and power supplies to Gaza. They resumed bombing raids overnight on Tuesday (the 18th), resulting in the brutal deaths of 404 individuals,” stated the organization.

We gather here today to voice our solidarity with the liberation of Palestine and to show support for anti-war advocates around the globe who are facing violence, suppression, and censorship.

See also:
‘It’s mostly women and children’: Hong Kong surgeon speaks of treating wounded Palestinians in Gaza

Gaza’s Health Ministry
said
last week that over 50,000 people had been killed in the Palestinian territory since the latest conflict began in early October 2023. However, The Lancet medical journal has
said
The real number of deaths could be as much as 41 percent greater. A UN report states that most of the confirmed victims were females and kids.

The latest conflict
started
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants initiated an unexpected assault on Israel, resulting in at least 1,139 fatalities and approximately 250 individuals being taken hostage to Gaza. As a response, Israel declared its intention to dismantle Hamas completely and subsequently conducted extensive bombing raids across the Gaza Strip lasting over one year.

On last Tuesday, the ceasefire that had been effective since January 19 came to an end when Israel launched a new attack on Gaza. The country has called for the liberation of numerous hostages who remain within the conflict-ravaged area.

Outside the U.S. Consulate on Sunday, the protesters carried signs reading: “The West is complicit in Israel’s genocide” and “Scare fascists.”

The declaration continued: “Led by the United States, Western governments have turned a deaf ear to their own people’s concerns and have aided in the genocide of Palestinians, thereby supporting Israel’s racist and colonial objectives.”

Police search

The organization stated they weren’t shocked that law enforcement was summoned on Sunday. They added, “The U.S. administration is curtailing the pro-Palestinian activism as the U.S. backs Israel in carrying out the extermination of Palestinians.”

They said that the police “reminded us not to violate the national security law, not to contain any sedition content in our slogans, and not to cover our face under [the] face-covering regulation,” as they searched and took down the identity card details of the activists.

In response, the US consulate told HKFP on Monday that the five were blocking their driveway and it had to ensure the safety of its staff and facilities.

The demonstrators were positioned at the entrance to the consulate’s vehicle gate, presenting a potential hazard to both their own safety and that of the consulate personnel,” the statement read. “We completely endorse the right of individuals to demonstrate in a peaceful and secure manner. It is not uncommon for protests to take place close to the consulate.

A year ago, US Consul General Gregory May
said
He posted on Facebook that he backed the rights of demonstrators outside the embassy.

“We uphold basic liberties and human rights. Although I politely differ from these guests’ opinions, I completely endorse their right to demonstrate peaceably,” he stated.

On Monday, the police responded via email stating that they had “received a report around 2 pm on March 23 regarding five individuals holding a public gathering outside 26 Garden Road, Central.” When the police arrived, those present were advised to make sure their public event was carried out according to legal requirements.

Mahmoud Khalil detention

The five protesters were additionally urging for the release of student activist Mahmoud Khalil from U.S. custody.

Khalil, who is a long-term resident of the U.S. and serves as the chief mediator for Columbia University’s student protest advocating for Palestine, was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities on March 8 following directives from the State Department to cancel his visa.

“The arbitrary imprisonment of Khalil demonstrated that the U.S. does not concern itself with justice and liberty whatsoever,” stated HK Anti-war Mobilization.

“The U.S. government is intensifying efforts against the pro-Palestinian movement across all areas, as they worry that people might reveal the reality of the genocide,” the organization added.

“Ironically, the legislation used to arrest Khalil was the same one used by the US government in the 1950s to block Holocaust survivors in Eastern Europe from entering the US,” the protest group said.

See also:
Hongkongers show solidarity with Palestine amid Israel-Hamas war, but keep efforts low-key

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of penalties for students whom he alleges back Hamas or propagate anti-Jewish sentiment. However, detractors argue that Khalil’s detainment represents an unjust assault on freedom of expression.

Last year, the International Court of Justice — which serves as the main judicial organ of the United Nations — determined that Israel’s actions in Gaza might constitute genocide. However, Israel has refuted these allegations.

Last November, the UN-supported International Criminal Court announced arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Chief Yoav Gallant, along with a previous Hamas military leader, on charges related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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