As Israeli forces pushed deep into Gaza in fierce fighting Sunday, Minnesotans half a globe away weighed in at a raucous rally that inspired a rare show of unity by the two archrivals for the state's U.S. Senate seat.

About 750 people crammed inside the Sabes Jewish Community Center in St. Louis Park on Sunday afternoon to show their support for Israel in the deadly conflict. Outside, about 250 others rallied in the cold to show their dismay.

The rally, sponsored by a coalition of local Jewish groups, attracted a throng of elected officials of all political persuasions, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Senate contenders Norm Coleman and Al Franken. All were united, if only for one afternoon, in support of Israel's battle against Hamas.

The protesters -- who were equally as diverse and passionate -- gathered along the slushy roadside outside the Community Center in vociferous dissent to Israel's actions in Gaza.

But inside, support of Israel was unbridled. "I'm glad to be a friend of Israel,'' said Pawlenty, prompting a standing ovation.

Roughly a dozen speakers followed, all arguing that Israel's actions stem from the need to defend itself against Hamas, which they characterized as a terrorist organization.

Several rabbis spoke, and so did megachurch Rev. Mac Hammond of Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park, who said Hamas embraces an "ideology that celebrates death'' while Israel "celebrates life." U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline, both Republicans, as well as former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, also spoke.

The show of unity for Israel stood in sharp contrast to recent dealings between Coleman, the Republican incumbent now in political limbo, and Franken, his Democratic foe and declared winner (for now, by 225 votes). The two have been engaged in a bitter recount battle for Coleman's former Senate seat that has dragged on for almost two months, and now Coleman is contesting the results in court.

Coleman and Franken sat apart, on opposite sides of a center aisle. But at the close of his speech, Coleman leapt off the 2-foot dais and enthusiastically pumped Franken's hand; and after Franken's remarks, the DFLer shook hands with a number of people seated in the front row, including Coleman.

Both drew an enthusiastic response from the standing-room-only crowd, many of whom had to stand along the walls of the meeting room or sit on the floor.

"Our support has always been part of the miracle of Israel,'' Coleman told the crowd. "And that must continue."

Franken said the incoming Obama administration will "build a more peaceful world, reestablishing the United States as a broker for peace in the Middle East."

At times, Franken spoke as if he were a sitting senator. "I will work hard in the coming months and years for a two-state solution,'' he said, referring to the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Coleman left midway through the rally, which lasted almost two hours. Although Franken stayed for the duration, he shunned journalists as he left for another engagement.

Dismay and dissent

Earlier, a group of protesters, some of them Jews, stood behind a barricade hoisting signs and shouting slogans as cars pulled into the Community Center's parking lot.

"Just as it is not anti-American to criticize the U.S. government, it does not signify hatred of Jews to criticize Israeli government policy,'' said Lisa Albrecht of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network of the Twin Cities.

Albrecht said her group supports a nonviolent solution to the Gaza crisis, citing a "long legacy of Jewish people throughout history who have stood in solidarity with others in common struggles against all forms of racism and repression."

The groups demanded an immediate cease-fire and opening of Gaza's borders, and called for the Minnesota state pension fund to sever its investment ties with Israel.

Ziad Amra, a spokesman for the Minneapolis-based Coalition for Palestinian Rights, challenged "all people of conscience to step forward" to end what he called Israel's occupation of Gaza. He urged those involved in the conflict -- from Minnesota to Gaza -- to "seek peace."

Janet Moore • 612-673-7752