Fort Lauderdale rallies over conflict in Israel after Saturday’s Hamas attack — reportedly turning chaotic on Sunday afternoon.
A day after the Hamas militant group's unprecedented attack on Israel, Supporters of both Israel and Palestine faced off on the streets of South Florida Sunday afternoon, leading to a confrontation that ended in one arrest.
Dozens gathered for a Defend Israel Emergency Rally along East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, as they stood in solidarity for the Jewish Community and Israel.
"I think that if you have any love for democracy, if you love freedom, if you love the ability to do whatever you want on a day to day basis, it doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish or Israeli," said Israeli-American protester Tal Levinson. "If you’re that type of person, you've got to come out and support this cause."
This protest happened as a pro-Palestine rally happened just feet away.
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"We condemn all forms of terrorism, all forms of attacks on innocent civilians, that’s why we’re saying peace, and love and diplomacy and they’re saying war, attack," Palestine supporter Didier Ortiz said.
An NBC6 crew was present as tensions thickened between the groups and confrontations began.
"We came out with our flag, with our banner that we have behind here for Palestine. They came across from all the way over from the Truist Bank two blocks down the street to punch us, to spit at us and to yell at us," a pro-Palestine protester claimed.
Eventually, police were able to get the crowds under control but not before having to block traffic to get people out of the street and using pepper spray.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department later confirmed that officers de-escalated the situation and roads were cleared.
One person was arrested for causing a disturbance, police added.
This comes as local leaders and organizations continue to react to the ongoing violence overseas.
"Somebody needs to do something, if it was happening to your children, to your grandmother, to your grandfather, to your wife, to your loved, to your children that went to have a party," Svetlana Nurtel said.
In another event later on Sunday in Fort Laudedale, South Florida leaders and community members spoke on the conflict in Israel.
For Hollywood’s Mayor Josh Levy, an Israeli-American himself, it hits close to home.
"We all have families in Israel. Some of us have lost family in this attack yesterday and this is a heart-wrenching weekend that it’s been, but after that sense of mourning comes a sense of resolve to fight back," Levy said.
More pro-Israel rallies are planned for this week starting with one on Monday in Aventura and another on Tuesday in Miami Beach.
