DHAKA — In a historic demonstration, over 2 million people flooded the streets of Dhaka on Saturday in a massive show of solidarity with Palestine, demanding not only justice for Gaza but also direct military action against Israel by the Bangladeshi government.
The “March for Gaza,” organized by the Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh, took place at Suhrawardy Udyan and saw an unprecedented turnout of citizens waving Palestinian and Bangladeshi flags, chanting “Free Palestine,” “Boycott Israel,” and calling on the Muslim world — and Bangladesh in particular — to go beyond words and take decisive action.
While previous rallies have focused on humanitarian appeals and boycotts, this protest marked a significant escalation in demands, with widespread calls for Bangladesh to send its military in support of Palestinians and take a firm stand against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Speakers — including political leaders, activists, celebrities, and religious scholars — openly urged the government to deploy troops, describing it as a moral and religious duty in response to what they called a genocide unfolding in Gaza. “Diplomatic statements are no longer enough,” said Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and a lead organizer. “The people of Bangladesh demand that our army stand with Palestine — not just in words, but on the ground.”
The rally comes amid staggering casualties in Gaza, with over 50,900 Palestinians killed, 116,000 wounded, and 2 million facing starvation, as Israel’s months-long bombardment has reduced much of the enclave to rubble and blocked humanitarian access.
A joint declaration issued at the rally called on all Muslim nations to cut ties with Israel, impose economic and military sanctions, and launch coordinated efforts to isolate Tel Aviv internationally. It also demanded that Israel’s leaders be brought to trial at the International Court of Justice.
The demonstration also renewed calls to reinstate the “except Israel” clause in Bangladeshi passports, which was removed in 2021. Protesters argued that the removal undermines Bangladesh’s long-standing pro-Palestinian stance.
Beyond speeches, the message was clear on the ground: military action is now part of the public demand. “We’ve protested, we’ve boycotted — now it’s time to fight,” said Arman Sheikh, a protester. “Our army should stand with the oppressed, not sit back and watch.”
Nasrin Begum, a schoolteacher at the rally, echoed the sentiment: “I’ve boycotted Israeli-linked products for over a year. But now, we want action. The blood of innocent Palestinians cries out for justice — and that means real intervention.”
Saturday’s rally is seen as a turning point in Bangladesh’s pro-Palestine movement — no longer just a voice of solidarity, but a growing call to arms. Whether the government will respond remains to be seen, but the message from the streets was loud and clear: Bangladesh must act.
