More than 10,000 Malaysians gathered at Dataran Merdeka this afternoon to protest against the violence inflicted on Palestinians by Israel.

Many of them were “shot” as they acted out the violence in Gaza, where the death toll reaching almost 1,500 over the past four weeks.

With sounds of machinegun fire emanating from loudspeakers, participants dropped flat on the ground or pretended to be injured after ‘being shot at’ by Israeli soldiers.

The two minutes of play-acting was part of the “Save the Children of Gaza, We Stand by You” rally hosted by the NGOs Viva Palestina Malaysia and Aqsa Sharif.

Participants also carried Palestinian flags as well as anti-Israel placards.

Amongst the messages written on the placards include “America stop funding the genocide”, “Free Gaza”, “Save Gaza”, “Malaysia against Zionism”, “For Islam”, and “We stand with Palestine”.

Some of the participants also wore headbands that read “For Islam”, while some others wore clothes depicting the colours of the Palestinian flag.

The rally, which took place from 3pm to 5pm, saw several local celebrities among its guests.

Actor Afdlin Shauki in his speech to the crows urged Malaysians to remain steadfast in boycotting Israeli goods.

“Don’t you think that we don’t have power. Boycott all goods made by the Israeli Zionists who are killing these children,” he said.

Amongst other celebrities present include Aizat Amdan, Azrimel from the group Tonawarna, Ella, Heliza Helmi, Natasha Hudson, and singer Datuk Hattan.

The rally also featured speeches from several NGO representatives before the crowd dispersed at about 4.45pm with shouts of “Long Live Gaza! Free Gaza!” led by Hattan.