CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of protesters gathered across the street from Chicago's Israeli Consulate Sunday afternoon, as the Israeli government formally declared war against Hamas following a surprise attack that resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Members of the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine were among those who held signs and chanted “Free Palestine.” Priscilla Reed stood on the edge of the demonstration.
“I’m here because I’ve been concerned with Palestinian human rights since about 1965, and the situation is deteriorating, and a bunch of the reporting that Americans are getting is failing to help them understand that these explosions of violence are linked to a … system of violence,” Reed said.
Yinam Cohen, the consul general of Israel to the Midwest and Chicago, said the fighting has been started by terrorists and added that Israel is protecting its people. The consulate was blocked off by metal barriers and Chicago police officers.
“We have a basic responsibility of defending our citizens,” Cohen said. “They have the basic right for life. For the short term, our major goal right now is to make sure that all of our community are safe.”
Chicago wasn’t the only city where supporters of Israel or Palestine rallied. In New York City, a skirmish broke out between opposing demonstrators near the United Nations compound after a large group of Palestinian supporters rallied in Times Square.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a Jewish community gathering to support Israel at a synagogue in San Francisco. Pro Israeli demonstrators also gathered outside of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.
In Atlanta, much like in Chicago, more than 75 people demonstrated at the Israeli consulate, where they chanted slogans in support of Hamas and called for an end to U.S. aid to Israel.
At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel, and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes pound the territory. A senior Hamas official announced that the militant group is holding more than 100 people captive after its assault on Israel.
On Saturday evening, President Joe Biden condemned what he said was the “unconscionable” assault by Hamas militants. He pledged to ensure Israel has “what it needs to defend itself.”
WBBM’s Terry Keshner and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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