Palestinians in Seoul Rally Against Israeli Strikes on Iran as Middle East Tensions Escalate

Palestinians in Seoul Demand End to Israeli Aggression

The streets of Seoul witnessed passionate demonstrations as Palestinians living in South Korea took to the streets to condemn Israel's escalating military campaign against Iran. On June 15, approximately 100 protesters gathered near Gwanghwamun's Kyobo Bookstore, organized by the civic group 'People in Solidarity with Palestinians.' The demonstrators chanted slogans like 'Stop the genocide' and 'Lift the Gaza blockade' as they marched through the capital's center.

Saleh Lantish, a Palestinian activist from Gaza currently based in Seoul, delivered an emotional speech highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis. 'In Gaza, innocent lives are being sacrificed. Homes are collapsing over families' heads, lives are under siege, and even electricity, water, and medicine are being cut off,' he declared. His words resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom drew parallels between Palestinian suffering and Korea's own historical experience under Japanese colonial rule.

The protest was part of the 88th Palestinian solidarity rally, coinciding with the 'Global March to Gaza' movement that has been gaining momentum worldwide. Participants emphasized that this was not just about regional politics but about universal human rights and justice that transcend national borders.

Operation Rising Lion: Israel's Unprecedented Strike on Iran

The current crisis began on June 13 when Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion,' the most extensive military campaign against Iran since the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. The operation targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, military installations, and key leadership figures in a coordinated assault that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The Israeli Air Force deployed over 200 aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters and F-15I bombers, dropping more than 330 munitions on approximately 100 targets across Iran. The strikes focused on the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, Revolutionary Guard headquarters in Tehran, and missile bases in Kermanshah and Lorestan. Intelligence reports suggest that Israel had been planning this operation for over a decade, waiting for the right moment to cripple Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The operation's biblical codename 'Rising Lion' reflects the symbolic significance for Israel, referencing the lion as a representation of the Jewish people. The scale and precision of the attacks demonstrated Israel's advanced military capabilities and intelligence network, with reports indicating that Mossad had established covert drone bases near Tehran and smuggled precision weapons into Iranian territory.

Iran's Retaliation and Escalating Casualties

Iran's response was swift and devastating. Within hours of the Israeli strikes, Iranian forces launched waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting major Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The attacks marked a significant escalation, with some Iranian missiles penetrating Israel's Iron Dome defense system and striking residential areas.

The human cost has been staggering on both sides. Iranian media reported at least 224 fatalities since the Israeli strikes began, including children and nuclear scientists. Among the high-profile casualties were Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri. On the Israeli side, at least 13 people have been confirmed dead with over 380 wounded from Iranian retaliatory strikes.

The conflict has expanded beyond military targets, with Iran opening mosques, metro stations, and schools as shelters for civilians. Israeli warnings for Iranian citizens to evacuate areas near weapons facilities indicate the potential for further escalation. The strikes have also targeted critical infrastructure, including Iran's South Pars gas field, the world's largest natural gas reserve.

Korean Community's Complex Response to Middle East Crisis

The Palestinian solidarity movement in Seoul reflects broader Korean society's complex relationship with Middle East conflicts. Many Korean activists draw parallels between Palestinian resistance and Korea's own struggle against Japanese colonialism, creating a natural affinity for the Palestinian cause. The Workers' Solidarity Youth Group has been particularly active, organizing multiple rallies and posting solidarity messages on university campuses across Seoul.

However, Korean public opinion remains divided. While progressive groups strongly support Palestinian rights, others question the appropriateness of unilateral support given Hamas's use of terror tactics. A 24-year-old university student commented, 'I don't think this is the time to hold support rallies when Hamas carried out terrible war crimes and even streamed them on social media'.

The debate has intensified on Korean university online communities, where students engage in heated discussions about the moral complexities of the conflict. Some Koreans feel that Palestinian resistance has lost legitimacy due to brutal tactics, while others maintain that 75 years of Israeli occupation justifies resistance by any means necessary. This division reflects the broader global struggle to understand and respond to the multifaceted nature of Middle Eastern conflicts.

Global Implications and Trump Administration's Role

The timing of Israel's operation appears strategically calculated, coinciding with the Trump administration's more permissive stance toward Israeli military actions. Unlike previous U.S. administrations that often restrained Israeli operations, Trump has reportedly given tacit approval for the strikes, viewing them as necessary to prevent Iranian nuclear proliferation.

The conflict has disrupted planned nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, with talks scheduled for June 15 being indefinitely postponed. Iran has warned that any assistance to Israel from the United States, United Kingdom, or France will result in attacks on their regional military bases. This threat has prompted the UK to deploy additional aircraft to the Middle East as a precautionary measure.

The escalation has raised fears of a broader regional conflagration that could engulf the entire Middle East. Iraq, hosting approximately 2,500 American troops as part of an anti-terrorism coalition, has requested that Iran refrain from targeting U.S. forces within its borders. The international community watches nervously as the conflict threatens to spiral beyond the control of any single nation or alliance.

Cultural Context and International Solidarity Movements

The Seoul protests represent part of a global wave of solidarity movements that have emerged in response to Middle Eastern conflicts. Korean activists have been particularly vocal in drawing connections between their historical experience and Palestinian suffering, often referencing the 36-year Japanese colonial period as a parallel to Israeli occupation.

The 'Global March to Gaza' movement, which the Seoul protesters supported, demonstrates how local activism connects to international campaigns. Protesters in Seoul specifically mentioned solidarity with activists in Egypt who faced harassment and had their belongings confiscated while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. This international dimension highlights how modern conflicts transcend geographical boundaries and create networks of support across continents.

Korean protesters have consistently emphasized the humanitarian aspect of their activism, focusing on the blockade of essential supplies like medicine, food, and water to Gaza. Their demands for immediate humanitarian aid reflect a broader international consensus that civilian populations should be protected regardless of political affiliations or territorial disputes.

Future Prospects and Regional Stability Concerns

As the conflict enters its fourth day, the potential for further escalation remains high. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed that Israel will face a 'bitter fate' for its attacks, while Netanyahu has promised to make Iran pay 'a very heavy price' for civilian casualties. The rhetoric from both sides suggests that neither is prepared to back down, raising the specter of prolonged warfare.

The international community faces a critical challenge in preventing the conflict from spreading throughout the region. European leaders from Germany and France have called for de-escalation, while regional powers like Iraq attempt to maintain neutrality. The success or failure of diplomatic efforts in the coming days will likely determine whether the Middle East faces its most serious crisis in decades.

For Korean-based Palestinians and their supporters, the protests in Seoul represent more than just political activism—they embody a fundamental belief in human dignity and justice that transcends national boundaries. As one protester declared, 'Our standing in Seoul's streets today is a declaration that humanity's problems transcend borders'. This sentiment captures the essence of international solidarity movements and their role in shaping global responses to regional conflicts.