May 14th 2024.
On a sunny Tuesday in Chicago, members of the Jewish United Fund gathered in Daley Plaza to raise the Israeli flag in honor of the establishment of the state of Israel. The significance of this holiday, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut in Hebrew, was particularly poignant as it coincided with the deadliest round of fighting between Jews and Palestinians in history.
As hundreds of people waved blue Israeli flags and celebrated in the Loop, the chants of a small group of counterprotesters could be heard in the distance. These opposing voices highlighted the unease that has been felt around the world since a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel last October.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has a long and complex history, but tensions reached a boiling point when Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Even now, around 100 people are still being held captive. Against this backdrop, David Golder, the chair of the Jewish United Fund, expressed his pride for Israel's independence, which was declared 76 years ago on May 14 in Tel Aviv. However, Golder also acknowledged the somber tone of this year's celebration and called attention to the ongoing struggles faced by Jewish students and the Israel Defense Forces.
"This year, our celebration is tinged with sorrow. We cannot truly celebrate until all of our brothers and sisters who are held captive in Gaza are able to return home," Golder stated with determination.
Among the crowd were two high school seniors from Ida Crown Jewish Academy, who had been bused downtown to take part in the celebrations. They proudly wore long jean skirts and let their curly hair flow freely. Despite the ongoing conflict, they were determined to take a gap year in Israel after their graduation in June.
"We cannot let fear stop us from going to our homeland," said Leah Zelden, one of the seniors. "My religion has played a huge role in shaping who I am today, and I am proud to stand with Israel."
As the flag was hoisted up, the crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. For a brief moment, all eyes were on the symbol of Israel's independence.
However, the day after Israel's Independence Day is marked as Nakba, which translates to "catastrophe" in Arabic. It is a reminder of the mass expulsion of Palestinians from what is now Israel and remains a core issue in the conflict. In response, Chicago's chapter of American Muslims for Palestine held their own flag-raising event to draw attention to the ongoing displacement of Palestinians.
The rejection of Palestinians' right of return has been a major point of contention in peace talks that have repeatedly collapsed over the last 15 years. The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine has been vocal in their protests against Israel's annual Independence Day celebrations, but this year, their message carries even more urgency.
As the celebrations and protests took place, Chicago police officers stood on guard between the two groups, prepared for any potential clashes. Despite a few altercations, the event remained relatively peaceful.
One man from the Israeli side attempted to confront the counterprotesters, but a police officer intervened, preventing any escalation of the situation. The effects of the war in Gaza have been felt in Chicago, with targeted attacks against both Jews and Palestinians, as well as demands for universities to disclose their investments in corporations involved in the conflict.
As the event came to an end and people dispersed, many were seen wrapped in both American and Israeli flags. The war in Gaza has caused a ripple effect, with its politics and consequences reaching all the way to cities like Chicago. As the voices of the counterprotesters continued to echo in the square, it was a reminder of the ongoing struggles and the urgent need for resolution in the conflict.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
