Tens of thousands rally in Mideast, West to support Palestinians

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of protesters rallied across the Middle East and in parts of Asia, Europe and the United States on Friday in support of Palestinians and condemnation of Israel.

In Turkey, crowds gathered outside mosques chanting against Israel and saluting Hamas. In the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, 46-year-old business owner Mikail Bakan said: "All the Muslim world needs to be one against Israel."

In Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, youths set fires on the streets and clashed with the Israeli military.

A huge Palestinian flag was passed overhead at a protest in Rome, and demonstrations took place in other European cities including in Braband in Denmark and in Berlin, where some protesters were detained by police.

Germany and France had banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations and several Western countries said they had stepped up security at synagogues and Jewish schools fearing that protests could lead to violence.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, urged Palestinians to rise up in protest against Israel's bombardment of the blockaded enclave, calling on them to march on Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In New York, throngs of protesters assembled near Times Square, demanding Palestinian independence and decrying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Baghdad on Friday, tens of thousands of Iraqis rallied in central Tahrir Square, waving Palestinian flags and burning the Israeli flag while chanting anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli slogans.

"We are ready to join the fight and rid the Palestinians of the Israeli atrocities," said Muntadhar Kareem, 25, a teacher. He was dressed in a white shroud, like most of the protesters, to symbolise their readiness to fight to the death.

State-organised rallies were held across Iran - whose government is Hamas' main backer and one of Israel's principal foes - in support of the militant group, state TV reported. "Death to Israel. Death to Zionism!" shouted demonstrators, many carrying Palestinian flags and those of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

In Indonesia, Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir joined dozens of people in a march against Israel in the Javanese city of Solo.

In Sri Lanka, protesters held up signs saying, "Palestine you will never walk alone". Protesters also took to the streets in Bulgaria, Yemen, Cape Town, India's Kashmir region, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Egypt.