Demonstrations across the country, including Dhaka:

Bangladesh witnessed a series of nationwide protests in May 2024 to show support for the Palestinian people and condemn the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The student wing of the ruling Awami League, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), was in charge of these protests, which prominently featured the slogan "Show Israel the red card." Numerous educational establishments participated in them. Nationwide University Protests

Supported by the BCL, thousands of activists organized marches on university campuses across the country on May 6, 2024, to demand an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. At Dhaka University, demonstrators carried Bangladeshi and Palestinian flags, chanted anti-Israel slogans, and displayed banners with messages such as “Free Palestine, Stop Genocide.” Similar rallies were held at other universities, including Jahangirnagar University, Chittagong University, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, demonstrating a unified student position.

The BCL emphasized that these demonstrations were organized in solidarity with protests taking place all over the world and that they were sparked by growing outrage regarding Israeli military actions in Gaza. BCL President Saddam Hossain highlighted the international dimension of the movement, stating, “The youths of the countries, vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolutions, urging Gaza war ceasefire, are today saying ‘yes’ for Palestine’s independence.”

Events near the United States Embassy in Bangladesh In a notable escalation, hundreds of Bangladeshi students staged a pro-Palestine rally on May 9, 2024, culminating in a sit-in demonstration near the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh The students wanted to draw attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and criticize U.S. support for Israel by chanting slogans like "Stop Genocide" and "Free Palestine." This marked the first such protest near the U.S. diplomatic mission in Bangladesh since the escalation of violence in Gaza.

The protesters carried placards with messages such as “Biden-Blinken you can’t hide - We charge you with a genocide,” directly addressing U.S. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, and President Joe Biden. Security forces prevented protesters from forming a line directly in front of the embassy, which is where the demonstration ended.

Government and Public Response

Bangladesh, a nation of nearly 170 million Muslims, has supported the Palestinian cause in the past but does not have diplomatic ties with Israel. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina condemned Israel’s actions, alleging genocide committed by its government.

The student body and the general public gave the BCL's demonstrations a lot of support. Two Palestinian students studying in Bangladesh, Badawi Jboor Ahmed and Isaaq Namoura, addressed the rally at Dhaka University, expressing gratitude for the solidarity shown by Bangladeshi students. Namoura highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, noting that “there are 30,000 students in Gaza, who are unable to go to schools, colleges, and universities.”

Khulna's educational establishments remained closed. In the afternoon, an all-party protest programme was scheduled to be held at the Shibbari intersection in the city.

Students and professionals from various institutions demonstrated in the University of Dhaka area.Prothom Alo

Chandpur also saw assemblies and protest rallies. A protest procession was led by students from various educational institutions around 10:30 a.m. on the Hasan Ali High School grounds. The rally began with a march through the town's main streets and ended with a gathering at the bus stop.

These nationwide demonstrations in Bangladesh were part of a larger global movement of student protests calling for the end of the conflict in Gaza and for Palestinian rights. Bangladesh's commitment to supporting oppressed communities worldwide and advocating for peace and justice on a global scale was exemplified by the united stance of its students and activists.

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