NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Palestinian supporters crowded into Duncan Plaza, calling for liberation from Israeli control and for the end of American financial aid to Israel.
“Blood is on the hands of Israeli government and its supports around the world. The U.S. Government which encourages and enables Israel’s daily depredations against the Palestinians and every leader of every foreign government who is complacent in their capitulation to Israeli and U.S. Intransigence,” Palestine supporter Josh Teitelbaum said.
Some of these protestors say that the Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend is a justified means for the goal of freedom.
“We agree that war is horrific right? Violence is horrific. Murder is horrific, and none of this would be happening if it weren’t for the occupation. If it weren’t for the apartheid and the U.S. Government funding it,” Palestine supporter Devorah Levy-Pearlman said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of New Orleans Jewish community members met today at congregation gates of prayer synagogue in Metairie to show solidarity for Israel and to pray for the violence to end.
“We’re having a gathering of solidarity for the state of Israel, for the victims of the invasion over the weekend for the Jews who were murdered or taken hostage. We are standing together as a community. Not just as a Jewish community but with other faith leaders, with elected leaders, with people who value our community and stand with us in our time of need,” Congregation Gates of Prayer Senior Rabbi David Gerber said.
The Jewish leaders say they believe the Hamas attack was unjust, and must be brought to an end.
“We are all dazed and shocked by the brutal atrocities that we have seen Hamas commit over the weekend where they massacred women, children and the elderly and took hostages. It is just unprecedented in our history to see this today,” Jewish Federation Greater New Orleans CEO Robert French.
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