Jordanian Riot Police Attack Anti-Israeli Protesters in Amman

On Tuesday, April 7, Jordanian riot police attacked hundreds of demonstrators marching towards the Israeli embassy in Amman with batons. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that dozens were injured and arrested during the police assault. According to Reuters, on the evening of Tuesday, in the third day of protests by Jordanian demonstrators against Israeli attacks on Gaza, over two thousand people approaching the embassy area in the affluent Rabaa neighborhood of Amman clashed with Jordanian police forces. Protesters chanted, 'All the people of Jordan are behind Hamas' in support of the militant group. The report states that Jordanian officials are concerned that Israeli bombardment of Gaza could increase Hamas's popularity among Jordanians. Since the Hamas militants' attack on Israel on October 6, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the hostage-taking of 253 others, along with Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza, public protests against Israel have been ongoing in the country. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reports that over 32,000 people have been killed due to Israeli attacks. Israel has repeatedly emphasized that Hamas uses civilians as human shields. According to Reuters, Jordanian officials state that peaceful protests are allowed but will not tolerate actions by groups seeking to exploit public anger against Israel for sabotage or to reach the border area with the West Bank or Israel. Last month, Amnesty International urged Jordanian authorities to end the widespread crackdown and the arrest of hundreds for supporting Palestinians in Gaza or criticizing the Jordanian government's policies towards Israel. Reuters noted that many Palestinian-origin protesters criticize Jordanian officials' inaction, stating that their compatriots in Gaza are facing Israeli military attacks. The news agency pointed out that the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel has little popularity among large groups of citizens who view normalization as a betrayal of Palestinian rights. Britain is implementing stricter security measures for lawmakers amid tensions over the Israel-Hamas war. Tens of thousands in London have called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Senator Schumer: Anti-Semitism in America has reached a 'critical point.' Exclusive: Israel: Iranian Jews had 'no choice' but to participate in anti-Israeli protests. UN Secretary-General: Ground routes are the only effective way to deliver aid to Gaza.