Landmarks around the world lit up in blue and white in solidarity with Israel

Israeli national flag projected onto 10 Downing Street, in London
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Jordan King10 October 2023

Many of the world’s most recognisable landmarks have been lit in the colours of Israel’s flag in a show of solidarity following Hamas’ deadly attack.

In London, the Star of David flag was projected onto 10 Downing St while the entire Palace of Westminster was covered in blue and white lights.

The White House in Washington DC and New York’s Empire State Building also displayed the colours.

Meanwhile, Germans in Berlin gathered in the rain to see the Brandenburg Gate exhibit the Israeli flag.

The iconic Eiffel Tower shone blue and white lights across Paris with Sydney’s Opera House doing the the same in Australia.

Ukraine has also thrown its support behind Israel, with the Star of David flag illuminated on an advertising screen in Kyiv.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Israel has the full right to defend itself against terror. As any other state. And it’s critical that the whole world responds to terror in a unified and principled manner.”

Rishi Sunak also posted about the “UK’s steadfast support as Israel defends itself against these attacks” on Sunday.

The Prime Minister visited Finchley United Synagogue, in north London, for a vigil with local Jewish communities on Monday night.

He wrote: “The people who support Hamas are fully responsible for this appalling attack. They are not militants. They are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists.”

The death toll has risen to more than 900 in Israel and more than 680 in Gaza, after Hamas started firing thousands of rockets on Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned his people to brace for war on Sunday, before launching airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.

Israel announced, on Tuesday, it has retaken control of Gaza’s border fence, reporting no new infiltrations by militants since Monday.

The Western world, where Hamas is classified as a terrorist organisation in several countries, has rallied behind Israel with the US sending military supplies.

Tensions have been high in London over the last few days, with three people arrested during protests and vigils over the conflict.

Pro-Palestine activists gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Kensington on Monday night with chants from the crowd including “Israel is a terrorist state”, “Free Palestine” and “Allahu Akhbar”.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has called for a pause to the demonstrations, saying they were causing concern for the Jewish community, “who have often been on the receiving end of prejudice and threats of violence”.

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