DALLAS — There were two separate marches and rallies in Dallas on Sunday. Each came with its own unique viewpoint on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
”We can’t just stay silent with the injustice that is happening in Palestine and what the Israeli government is doing,” said one protester, Daania Farhan, at the pro-Palestine gathering at Dallas City Hall Plaza
”We are here to march proudly and passionately for Israel and to stand up for Israel,” said a participant in the pro-Israel rally taking place at the same time across town in North Dallas.
The Downtown Dallas protest was the larger of the two. More than 6,000 people showed up to voice their support of Palestine and to call for the Israeli government to stop the bombardment of Gaza, where more than 5,000 people have been killed.
Israel began bombing after Hamas militants killed more than 1,400 people in southern Israel in a brutal attack on Oct. 7.
"At the end of the day, we don’t support Hamas," said Mohammed Ayachi, who organized Sunday's protest. "We support the innocent people of Palestine. You can’t justify the death of 5,000 people saying you are coming after one entity or organization."
Many people prayed. Others held up signs. Some gave speeches. Then the pro-Palestinian group then took to the streets to march -- just as was the case the previous weekend at a similar gathering that also drew thousands.
"It’s disgusting," said Farhan. "It’s horrible what is happening with children and babies in hospitals. It’s really wrong."
Some 20 miles away in North Dallas, at a march to support Israel, protestors asked for people to speak out against Hamas and the brutality it has inflicted on civilians.
"It’s clear who Hamas is," said Benji Gershon, organizer of the pro-Israel rally. "It’s clear we are fighting evil. These are modern Nazis we are dealing with. [We're seeing] a modern-day pogrom here in Israel, and it’s unacceptable."
Dallas City Council member Cara Mendelsohn was among the attendees at the rally, which was held within her district and drew hundreds. She spoke about the impact the conflict had had on the Jewish community in Dallas.
Said Mendelsohn: ”They are impacted because we have a family member there, they are impacted because they have a friend there, they are impacted because they have business interests there.”