Carrying the flags of both the United States and Palestine, between 40 and 50 students gathered in front of the Student Union early Tuesday afternoon to rally in support of "peace in the Middle East."
The Organization of Arab Students arranged the event. Along with the flags, attendants carried signs with sayings such as: "peace has no religion," "fighting for freedom is not terrorism" and "the struggle for freedom."
The rally ended with a 30-second moment of silence and the lighting of candles by all those present, passed out by the organizers.
"It was a great success," said Sabrina Kharouba, member of the OAS and organizer of the rally. The goal, she said, was "to bring a mentality of peace and hope that there would be two nations in one and the Israeli troops withdraw and the Palestinian people can govern themselves."
The Palestinian rally came one day after a student-organized solidarity rally in favor of Israel. Hillel of Buffalo, an organization for Jewish students on campus, assisted students in organizing the event. Nancy Atkinson, executive director of Hillel of Buffalo, explained the goal of the rally.
"To show solidarity with the people of Israel," she said. "It's important for people to come together and truthfully discuss what's going on [and] to make a statement against terrorism."
The Israeli supporters also carried both the U.S. flag and the Israeli flag and dressed in blue and white. The Israeli rally featured guest speakers and was attended by approximately 150 people, according to Atkinson.
-Sara Paulson and Corey Shoock
