Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, attacked regions of Israel by land, air and sea on Oct. 7. The group, identified by the U.S. Department of State as a terrorist organization since 1997, fired – and allowed other militant groups to fire – thousands of missiles at Israeli targets. Hamas fighters entered the country and killed hundreds of Israelis.
“To a certain extent, the entire history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict contains precedents … but this situation is on a different order of magnitude,” Bradley associate international studies professor Jeanie Bukowski said. “In terms of both the coordinated nature and death and damage caused by the Hamas attack … and by the all-out Israeli military response that is displacing more than a million Palestinians and killing thousands.”
Israel, a staunch U.S. ally and United Nations member, declared war on Hamas following the attack. In response, Israel began a days-long counter attack marked by barrages of missile strikes on the Gaza Strip. Scores of Palestinian buildings – including mosques, hospitals, schools, refugee camps and residential areas – have been destroyed by Israeli missile strikes.
Bradley’s Palestinian community
People in support of Palestine took to Main Street and University Avenue on Oct. 15 for a demonstration protesting the violence in the region, specifically the Israeli government’s retaliatory counter attacks on the Gaza Strip. Protesters held signs condemning Israel’s counter attacks and demanding an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East. Others held Palestinian flags and large banners.
Many protestors wore traditional Muslim garb, including head scarfs, thawbs and abayas. They chanted, “End the occupation now!” “Free Palestine! Palestine will be free!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”
“We’re here to protest the war on … Palestine, because – like that sign says, ‘silence is compliance’ – I feel like it’s not being talked about as much as it should be,” protester Estrella Diaz said. “We want to give a voice to people that don’t have one.”
Protesters agree that the best way to advocate for peace in the Middle East is to inspire people to learn about the conflict.
“[I want people to] look into it and get a little bit more knowledgeable to further spread the word,” protester Kya Riley said. “That’s what we’re trying to [do] – spread awareness. Because starting a conversation is the first step.”
The demonstration was organized primarily to show Peorians that the Palestinian community does not stand for the violence the Israel-Hamas War has caused.
“We’re out here, most importantly, to show that in the middle of America, violence on a subjugated, occupied society does not play in Peoria. You’ve got [many] people out here speaking to that,” independent protest organizer Lawrence Maushard said.
The protest brought out demonstrators from various demographics, including a high school student who led the crowd in chants.
“I’m from Palestine myself, so obviously I can’t actually go fight in the war. The only thing I can do is spread awareness,” Adam said.
Sunday’s protest mirrored similar protests on college campuses across the country in the wake of the Israel-Hamas War.
Pro-Palestine protesters organized for a second demonstration on Wednesday. The protest was aimed at condemning the response to an explosion at the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, the Gaza Strip’s capital, on Tuesday.
Bradley’s Jewish community
Bradley Hillel, Bradley’s Jewish cultural organization, organized an Israel Solidarity Rally at Congregation Anshai Emeth on Oct. 10.
“I always suggest that the best way to overcome darkness, sadness, trials, tribulations, evil, is by adding goodness and kindness and bringing more light and positivity into the world,” Rabbi Eli Langsam said. “And that’s what we did, you know. We got together on Sunday, on campus, to say prayers, do acts of kindness, to bring some more positivity and light into this world.”
The war has brought about a range of emotions from the Jewish community.
“With confidence I can say that most people are horrified. They’re angry. They’re scared. They’re upset. Anytime anything like this happens it runs the gamut of human emotions and, you know, any loss of life on any side is a tragedy,” executive director of Bradley Hilel Matt Lorch said. “It doesn’t matter if they are Israeli or Palestinian or American or European or African or Korean. Life is life and the tragic loss of human life is something to fight against.”
Some students are afraid that disagreement about the war could threaten their safety.
“I can’t speak for every student, I can only speak for those who have spoken with me,” Lorch said. “Some have been scared. They’re afraid to show themselves as being on campus for fear of being targeted.”
Hillel remains a resource for Jewish and non-Jewish students on campus.
“We’re here for you if you need to talk, if you need to cry, if you’re angry, if you’re scared, if you’re confused – our door is open. We’re here to listen to offer support,” Lorch said.
With the topic’s polarity, some students have found it difficult to come to terms with many of the war’s nuances.
“You know, [Jewish students] want to be out there supporting the Palestinians and they want to be out there supporting the Israelis. And they’re angry because they feel like they’re being torn between both sides,” Lorch said.
Reaching an understanding
Hundreds of years of convoluted history and complexity of modern-day Middle East geopolitics has left many feeling lost in the swarm of media coverage and developing details about the war.
“Not all Palestinians support Hamas, not all Jews support the Israeli government. You know, you can also be critical of both groups without being labeled racist, without being labeled anti-semitic,” Lorch said. “Legitimate, true criticism is absolute and welcome, but a lot of people confuse criticism [with] anger and opinion.”
