Jewish students disagree during on-campus protest against war in Gaza
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
While at least 100 University of Missouri students marched on campus calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, a small counter-protest also formed.
A group of University of Missouri students walked out of class late Monday morning to show their support for the people in Gaza. Mizzou Students for Justice in Palestine organized the walkout, which began at 11 a.m. Monday. The group started at the Lowry Mall on the University of Missouri campus and marched into Downtown Columbia. Jewish students were part of both protests.
Cass Donish, a Jewish student and Columbia resident, marched in the pro-Palestine protest. Donish said she stands up with this group every Saturday at their weekly protests as well.
"We also reject the idea that these protests are anti-Semitic," Donish said. "They are not. They are in support of humanity and human rights and Palestinian dignity and Palestinian lives."
Four students stood silently holding an Israeli flag as their peers marched by. Ilay Kielmanowicz held a picture of his neighbor who was kidnapped by Hamas and later released early on in the war.
"If they want to actually be peaceful, then they should chant the names of the hostages, the 133 hostages that are still in captivity," Keilmanowicz said.
Hamas released a video this week showing an American-Israeli hostage speaking.
One of the organizers, Ian De Smet with Mizzou Young Democratic Socialists of America, said he mourns the lives of all those killed in the October 7 attack by Hamas, but also believes Israel's response has been disproportionate.
"There has been  a lack of initiative on both sides in both parties when it comes to like an actual peace negotiation and release of hostages," De Smet said.
Keilmanowicz said he's disappointed in his peers actions at the protest, but feels supported by the university administration.
"Anti-Semitism is rising in the United States," Keilmanowicz said. "It must be addressed. And this is an absolutely vile,  vile way  in which the youth of America is turned into vile anti-Semites."
"Our walkout and march aim to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to protest against the ongoing Israeli occupation and violence. We are calling for a ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian crisis, and we believe that by coming together as a community, we can make our voices heard and effect positive change," the group said in an email to ABC 17 News.
Protests against the war between Israel and Hamas have been popping up on college and university campuses across the country.
This weekend, an encampment began at Washington University in St. Louis protesting the university's connections to Boeing, an Israeli partner. Around 80 people were arrested at that protest this weekend, including Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.
