HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Monday marks one year since Israel’s Hamas war began, and since then, both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups have rallied for what they say should be done in the Middle East.
The two groups remained steadfast and active Sunday as the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center held their weekly “Run For Their Lives” morning meeting and a pro-Palestinian rally took place outside the Governor’s Mansion.
Over the past year, the groups have watched in horror as terror continues abroad.
Israel intensifies bombing of Gaza and southern Lebanon ahead of October 7 anniversary
Residents are observing the efforts manifested in rallies and other events, two of which took place in Harrisburg on Sunday.
“We’ve met almost every Sunday since then,” said Judith Hodara, who participated in the JCC event.
The group gathered bright and early outside the JCC on North Front Street.
“It’s an apolitical message. It’s Jews, non-Jews,” Jordan Klein said. “We literally just get up, walk down Front Street and work together as a community. It is easier to bring attention together as a community.”
“We want the return of those who are still alive,” he added. “We want the return of those who have died. We want our brothers and sisters with us again. For us, that is the most important message that Israel deserves and has a right to exist.”
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli crowds gather around the world on the eve of the October 7 anniversary
Later Sunday there will be a rally for Palestine outside the governor’s mansion, where Brian Keisling says they want to “call for an arms embargo and boycott, punish and divest from the State of Israel.”
There are dozens of pro-Palestinians present who believe that too much money is going abroad.
Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here
“There is also hope that we can come together as a community and do something to stop this,” Keisling said.
Klein says divesting from “the only democratic nation in the Middle East is a very big mistake.”
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit ABC27.
