CLEVELAND — As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, supporters of Palestine gathered for a rally at Public Square in downtown Cleveland on Friday afternoon.
The pro-Palestine rally was peaceful, as the demonstrators eventually moved from Public Square to Cleveland City Hall. A handful of Israel supporters stood on the opposite side of Superior from where the Palestine rally was being held.
"We, too, don't believe in innocent lives being murdered," Tarek Muhammad, one of the pro-Palestinian protesters, told 3News.
Dozens of officers from the Cleveland Division of Police surrounded Public Square and closed Superior Avenue. There were also city vehicles throughout the area, including snow plows used to block street access and keep members of the opposing demonstrations apart.
"I think that it's very important for us to show support for Israel and to show to the opposite side that we are human," Polina Guth, an Israeli supported, said.
Around 5:30 p.m., the Palestine supporters began marching down Superior Avenue. Police blocked off several downtown street areas, including Lakeside at East 9th and Ontario, plus Superior and East 6th Street.
Our Neil Fischer walked alongside as the protesters continued to march.
The rally eventually went to Cleveland City Hall, where our Emma Henderson joined Neil Fischer for coverage.
Just after 6 p.m., the march moved back to Public Square and the rally ended.
Employees who work in the area told Fischer that they were told to leave their buildings at around 3:50 p.m. before the rally began.
Per the Associated Press, the war has claimed at least 3,100 lives on both sides since Hamas launched their terror attacks against Israel on October 7. Israel’s military ordered hundreds of thousands of civilians living in Gaza City to evacuate Friday ahead of a feared Israel ground offensive. The directive came on the heels of what the United Nations said was a warning it received from Israel to evacuate 1.1 million people living in northern Gaza within 24 hours.
Muhammad, who lives in Cleveland, asked for solidarity for the innocent lives lost in Gaza.
"Our people have gone through so much," he said, referencing the decades-long tension between Palestine and Israel. "We do not support the death of innocent lives; we just want people to recognized the innocent lives of the Palestinians of Gaza being murdered."
On this issue, Guth expressed her sympathy.
"It's heartbreaking to see Gaza, people, just civilians, to suffer that much," she stated.
And while both sides condemned the loss of innocent lives, some are separated by their viewpoints of the war in the Middle East.
"I don't think it was a terrorist attack," Palestinian supported Juan Collado-Diaz said of Hamas' assault. "I'd classify it as more of a defense."
"They need to understand that terrorism needs to be condemned," Guth countered. "No matter what, it can't exist."
Previous Reporting:
- Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate as ground attack looms
- Increased police presence in Northeast Ohio, other US cities after Hamas attack on Israel
- Israel orders the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern part of Gaza, the UN says
- Cleveland Orchestra cancels upcoming tour in Israel amid war with Hamas
- After deadly terror attack against Israel, Northeast Ohio school districts warn students away from social media