ATLANTA — Pro-Israel demonstrators gathered at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta Thursday, hoping to raise awareness for their cause in a conflict thousands of miles away in the Middle East.
Cheryl Dorchinsky said the situation overseas convinced her to unite with hundreds of others in a show of support for Israel days after the militant group Hamas attacked the country.
"Israel has always been an ally and we count on each other," Dorchinsky said. "I'm an American. My heart is in Israel also. Once you see these images, you can't unsee them. They're things you wouldn't expect in your worst nightmares humans doing to other humans."
But that's exactly what pro-Palestinian protesters claim Israel has done in response, conducting airstrikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip that have killed hundreds of people.
"I've been a Muslim my whole life," a protester named Saad said. "From a young age, I was told I was part of this terrorist (stuff), but I'm the most peaceful person you'll ever meet."
Atlanta police manned the streets, trying to maintain peace between the protesters. Each side had people who cursed at each other, name called and traded obscene gestures. At the start of the pro-Israeli protest, Georgia State University's marching band was making its way through the park for a homecoming pep rally.
Ari Bee is Jewish. They stood across from the pro-Israeli protesters, wearing a yarmulke, but standing in solidarity with the Palestinian sympathizers. Bee said they were critical of Israel's response to Hamas's attack.
"It is not OK to be carpet bombing civilians in response to some kind of military action," Bee said. "It's not OK to be depriving people of food, water and electricity. People are activated and coming from their rage and anger. If they're going to call me a traitor, that's just not true."
Down the street, the divide deepened as a group of Georgia State students held a Free Palestine rally. They urged university officials to no longer fund GILEE, a law enforcement exchange program involving Israel. At the initial publication time, the university did not respond to 11Alive's request for comment on the funding and future of the program.
"I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert who knows what should happen in the future," Bee said. "I just know what should not be happening now."
Those on both sides of the divide remain entrenched with barely any middle ground to be found.
"Seeing what's going on there and feeling so incredibly helpless, this is the least I can do," Dorchinsky said. "I want to do so much more to help."