Millions rally worldwide on Quds Day in solidarity with Palestinians

Millions of people across Iran and other countries marked International Quds Day on Friday, staging mass rallies in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In Iran, demonstrations were held in over 900 cities, with participants carrying Iranian and Palestinian flags alongside banners demanding the liberation of Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Similar rallies took place across the Middle East, including in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon.

Senior Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, joined the rally in Tehran. Addressing the crowd, Qalibaf criticized Western nations for what he described as double standards on human rights and reiterated Iran’s support for Palestinian resistance.

Participants also called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be tried in international courts over military actions in Gaza. A final communique issued at the Tehran rally urged the international community to take urgent steps to halt the violence and facilitate humanitarian aid.

Quds Day, established in 1979 by Iran’s late leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, is observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadan to highlight support for Palestinians and opposition to Israeli policies.