Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian groups are holding events across Michigan to offer their perspectives on the conflict in Gaza.
As The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher reports, protesters gathered in front of the state Capitol Wednesday in support of Palestinians.
Ambi: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” (Chant)
Dozens of people showed up to call for peace in Palestine – at the same time decrying Israel for launching an offensive on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They blame Israel for the deaths of hundreds of civilians.
Protesters like Thasin Sardar of East Lansing say state officials should officially ask the federal government to take action.
“I believe the state officials have every right to intervene and ask them not to use U.S. taxpayer money to kill civilians,” he says.
Pro-Israeli groups blame Hamas for civilian deaths. They say Hamas is using them as “human shields.” The United Nations’ top human rights official says both sides may have committed war crimes in the conflict.