Unity and Tensions: Voices from Israeli and Palestinian Supporters in the U.S.
Israeli and Palestinian Supporters: United in Peace Amidst Conflict
In cities across the United States on Sunday, both Israeli and Palestinian supporters gathered, drawing the world’s attention to the devastating toll of the Middle East conflict. This ongoing crisis has tragically claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands wounded, sparking shock and dismay worldwide.
Tensions flared near the United Nations compound in New York City as opposing demonstrators clashed following a significant gathering of Palestinian supporters in Times Square. Simultaneously, Palestinian Americans staged protests outside Israeli consulates in Atlanta and Chicago. This provocative turn of events left many Jewish communities and organizations in a state of disbelief, with widespread condemnation echoing through the streets. The timing of these rallies was particularly poignant, coinciding with Simchat Torah, a major Jewish holiday.
In San Francisco, the local Jewish community congregated at Congregation Sherith Israel, one of the oldest synagogues in the United States. Among the attendees were students from Israel’s Ben-Gurion University, located just 25 miles from Gaza. They were visiting San Francisco as part of a delegation from the Hillel organization.
These students expressed their eagerness to return home and offer assistance in any way possible. Yuval Appleboim, 26, shared his concerns, revealing that his family resides less than 20 miles from Gaza. He recounted the hardships they were enduring, with his sister and nephews seeking refuge in a bunker, occasionally experiencing power outages, and even having a rocket land perilously close to their home.
The emotional strain of being separated from friends during such a critical time weighed heavily on Appleboim, who disclosed that a close friend had left his 9-day-old daughter to serve in the reserves. As a reservist in the Israeli military himself, Appleboim’s unit had been called into action, and he expressed his eagerness to return as swiftly as possible to lend a hand.
Appleboim also emphasized his pro-Palestinian sentiments, underscoring that many Israelis share a desire for a better future and peace with the Palestinian people. Nevertheless, he decried the tragedy that the terror organization attacking Israel displayed, as it not only claimed numerous Israeli lives but also showed a reckless disregard for Palestinian lives, ultimately perpetuating the cycle of violence.
“This is a time when solitude is best avoided,” expressed Yael Shafrir, 28, as she conveyed her emotions during the gathering in San Francisco. Despite the challenges of attending the gathering on Sunday, Shafrir highlighted the immense support the community was receiving from around the world.
“Coming to the temple today was not easy, but for us, this is a moment when we mustn’t be alone. It feels like the global community is embracing us and standing by our side,” Shafrir emphasized. “We truly need that.”
Shafrir also acknowledged the intricate nature of the conflict, recognizing the individuals caught in the midst of it.
“We have no desire to be in conflict with Palestinians. Our aim is not to harm anyone, including the residents of the Gaza Strip,” Shafrir clarified. “Ultimately, they are contending with a terrorist organization, not the people. The military is working tirelessly to ensure that innocent lives are not harmed.
Hatem Abudayyeh, co-founder and national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), expressed concern about the rising death toll and injuries but also highlighted the inspiration drawn from the united Palestinian Resistance.
The USPCN, as described by Abudayyeh, serves as a grassroots-oriented organization that actively supports and strengthens organizing efforts within Palestinian and Arab communities throughout the United States. In an email to USA TODAY, Abudayyeh underscored the rich history of resistance among Palestinians and emphasized that the recent attacks were not unexpected.
“Our people still possess the capacity to stand up and defend their homes and land, motivating us to redouble our efforts in supporting them from within the ‘belly of the beast,'” Abudayyeh declared.
Based in Chicago, Abudayyeh disclosed that the USPCN was coordinating with all its chapters to provide resources for community organizing. He noted that thousands of individuals had gathered on Sunday to protest outside Israeli consulates, with notable turnouts of 2,000 in Chicago and 1,000 in San Francisco.
In front of the San Francisco Israeli Consulate on Sunday afternoon, a line of police officers donning helmets and brandishing batons separated pro-Israel demonstrators from Palestinian supporters. In this charged atmosphere, both groups chanted slogans, brandished flags and signs, and engaged in heated exchanges.
While one side fervently chanted “Free, free, free Palestine,” the other responded with “Shame, shame,” echoing the sentiments of a grieving Israeli community still reeling from the recent Hamas attack on Israeli soil.
Rami Abdelkarim, a 23-year-old Palestinian born in the United States with extensive family ties to Palestine, decried what he perceived as an Israeli occupation. He argued that the Hamas attack represented the culmination of decades of resistance, triggered in part by the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements.
When asked about concerns over potential Israeli reprisals, Abdelkarim voiced apprehension, noting Israel’s status as the largest recipient of military funding from the United States. However, as an organizer for the Palestinian Youth Movement, he also emphasized that for Palestinians back in their homeland, the fear of Israel paled in comparison to the imperative of safeguarding their livelihoods and striving for liberation.
Yasin Ayesh, a 29-year-old Bay Area resident proudly adorned with a Palestinian flag, attended the rally to advocate for an end to the occupation and to demand that Palestinians be granted the same human rights as Israelis. Although born in California, Ayesh has visited relatives in the West Bank, most recently in 2019. He described the challenges faced by his family’s city, Jenin, including military occupation, checkpoints, and limited access to basic necessities such as water and electricity.
Ayesh asserted, “The people there don’t have access to proper medical care, sufficient food, or adequate education due to apartheid. They deserve the same rights as any human being.”
He clarified that he did not advocate for loss of life but argued that understanding the context was crucial. According to Ayesh, the history of mistreatment spanning 45 years laid the foundation for the recent attack, underscoring the roots of the resistance.
Shai Elnekave, a 49-year-old Israeli-Australian who participated in the temple rally on Sunday, expressed deep concern for his loved ones back in Israel. In a small country like Israel, it’s common for most people to have personal connections affected by the ongoing conflict.
Elnekave voiced a somber perspective, suggesting that a significant threshold had been crossed, making it increasingly challenging to return to a state of peace. He foresaw an impending surge in Israeli counterattacks and retaliations, painting a grim picture of an ongoing war.
“I genuinely wish that we could, with U.S. and global intervention, reach a treaty that would bring resolution to this conflict. I truly do,” Elnekave lamented. “Regrettably, my optimism is limited because there are extremists on both sides, and it’s crucial to acknowledge that fact.
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By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
