Palestinians criticize pro-Israel ‘peace’ rally downtown

Downtown’s Marietta Street became a tense divide Sunday between people on both sides of the conflict in Gaza.

Clustered outside the CNN Center, several hundred supporters of Israel waved flags and posters and sang songs of peace in an hourlong rally that began at 12:30 p.m.

Bill Nigut, Southeast regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said the Jewish community felt compelled to demonstrate its support of Israel.

Israel launched a ground offensive against Hamas two weeks ago after rockets fired from Gaza repeatedly hit Israel. More than 800 Palestinians, roughly half of them civilians, have died since war broke out on Dec. 27, according to Palestinian medical officials. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have been killed.

“We believe in what Israel has to do, but it’s heartbreaking to watch the way that it is tearing us all apart,” Nigut said.

Across the street, in a counter rally organized by Atlanta Palestine Solidarity, about 50 people chanted, “We want peace,” and “Stop killing our children.”

Husam Jamjoum, 36, of Alpharetta, an official of the group, said, “We were really disgusted when we heard about the Israeli protest. … We’re hoping that Obama will change the policy in the Middle East.”

At least 15 to 20 Atlanta police officers directed traffic and kept close watch, as tempers occasionally flared. At one point, a passer-by crossed Marietta Street with her fingers raised in peace signs.

Youth organizer Shira Berman, 16, of Sandy Springs, braved the blustery winds wearing a thin T-shirt on which she’d inked the words “I love Israel. I want peace.”

“We’re trying to show solidarity since [Israel] hasn’t been getting the best coverage on news stations,” Berman said. “Israel is fighting a moral war.”