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In Taiwan, clash at pro-Israel concert highlights growing divisions over Gaza war
- Pro-Palestinian protesters are attempting to press charges against two men after altercations at a Taipei event in support of Israel
- The incident reflects a rise in tensions as members of the two camps escalate efforts to draw sympathy for their causes on the island
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Two pro-Palestine protesters in Taiwan say they are pressing charges against attendees of a pro-Israel concert, accusing them of physical assault and criminal threatening, as well as obstruction of freedom, as tensions grow on the island between supporters of the two camps.
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Tensions erupted at the Love Is Real concert in Taipei’s Da’an Park on Saturday evening after protesters approached the event carrying Palestinian flags and anti-war banners.
Videos from the event show members of the crowd rushing towards the protesters while holding the flags of the United States, Israel and Taiwan and attempting to block the protesters from view.
In one video, a man is seen grabbing a Palestinian flag from activist Aurora Chang and pushing a Taiwanese woman holding a banner. In another video, he appears to say, “They should rape them, then they will understand and get the idea.”
Other videos show a different man throwing a protester to the ground before police and other attendees rush over to intervene.
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The man who was attacked, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Temir, is a student in Taiwan originally from Kazakhstan.
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