'Gas the Jews': Anti-Israel rallies break out following Hamas attack
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Anti-Israel protesters held a demonstration Monday at Cambridge City Hall, where they clashed with supporters of the Jewish state. The activist group BDS Boston advertised the event in a social media post on Saturday, stating that it was "inspired" by the courage of the Palestinian people.
"We call upon everyone in the Boston area to express clear support for the Palestinian resistance, without conditions, and to take action to disrupt support for Zionism where we live," the group wrote, inviting people to the event Monday.
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BDS Boston is an activist group that advocates for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, a movement that calls for economic sanctions and boycotts against Israel, holding the Jewish state responsible for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As Fox News reported Tuesday, hundreds of people attended the demonstration located near Harvard University. They were confronted by a group of counterprotesters. At least one pro-Palestinian demonstrator reportedly called the pro-Israel counterprotesters "Nazis" and "pigs."
Counterprotesters utilized a megaphone, accusing the individuals on the anti-Israel side of supporting the terrorist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, with some counterprotesters calling the anti-Israel demonstrators "terrorists" and "cowards."
As the anti-Israel side chanted "Free, Free Palestine," those on the opposing side countered with the chant "rape is not resistance."
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According to a Monday Fox News report, several anti-Israel demonstrators also appeared to have stomped on the American flag with the words "Legit Gangster" written across the front. One of the protesters declared that the United States and Israel are "terrorists."
Cambridge is the location of Harvard University, where on Saturday, the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups and over 30 student groups released a letter stating that they hold Israel responsible for the violence.
"Today's events did not occur in a vacuum," the letter continues. "The apartheid regime is the only one to blame."
On Monday, the university's leadership issued a statement condemning the "death and destruction" perpetuated against Israel by Hamas. Harvard President Claudine Gay released a second statement Tuesday, describing Hamas' actions as "abhorrent" regardless of one's position on the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine.
"Let me also state, on this matter as on others, that while our students have the right to speak for themselves, no student group — not even 30 student groups — speaks for Harvard University or its leadership," she stated.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
