Pro-Israel Rally in Buffalo... It's about time! :)

This article is taken from the Buffalo News

Depth of Mideast emotions evident in confrontation of demonstrators

By Katie Reedy NEWS STAFF REPORTERUpdated: 06/11/07 6:41 AM

Tempers flared Sunday afternoon in Bidwell Park on Elmwood Avenue as pro-Palestinian activists rallied alongside pro-Israeli demonstrators on the 40th anniversary of the Six- Day War.
The rally, which began at noon, was organized by the Western New York Peace Center on the pro-Palestinian side, while the counterdemonstration was led by Stand With Us, a national Israeli advocacy organization.
At least 80 people attended the event, which drew about 15 more pro-Israeli activists than pro-Palestinians.
Joanna Drzewieniecki of the Western New York Peace Center said that her group takes the position that many actions by Israel against the Palestinians, such as building certain settlements, have been illegal.
“We’re protesting this occupation,” she said.
Drzewieniecki said her organization believes that current policies are linked to other sources of violence. “This is one of the most important causes of all the troubles in the Middle East,” she said.
Daphne Zilber, campus coordinator of Stand With Us, said she believes that the pro- Palestinian organizers were ignoring the violence that occurs against Israel.
“I think it’s important for people to be educated on the subject,” she said.
Zilber, who was born in Israel and now lives in Buffalo, said her experiences have shown her the importance of “reality rather than ideals.”
“I spent last summer in a bunker,” she said, explaining that she lived in a town near Lebanon during the fighting last year.
Demonstrators held flags, signs and banners on both sides of the street. While the rally was largely peaceful, several protesters, who stood intermingled, engaged in heated arguments.
Many other participants were also very vocal.
“It’s a genocide. . . . Israel has lost its moral compass,” said Irene Wolffson, 86, of Amherst.
“Israel has the right to possess the land that was given to them by the United Nations,” said Jamie Lynn, 24, of Buffalo.
“Arabs have rights in Israel; there are Arab representatives in the Knesset,” said Wendy Miller of Buffalo, supporting Stand With Us.
Othman Shibly of Williamsville, who attended the pro-Palestinian rally with his three children, called for a two-state solution.
“As we celebrate our own freedom on July Fourth, we should celebrate the freedom of others,” he said. “. . . We need to see a Palestinian state exist.”
His daughter, Thawab, 16, was dismayed by the divisions.
“I don’t like how everyone won’t talk to each other,” she said. “. . . Everyone is so polarized.”
The protest took place in conjunction with national and international rallies and demonstrations in commemoration of the Six-Day War. In Washington, D.C., the groups United for Peace and Justice and the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation staged a protest that was met by a counterdemonstration including groups such as Stand With Us.