Around the Twin Cities, individuals reacted Saturday to Israeli ground troops entering Gaza.
"It's a senseless tragedy that has no chance of leading to peace," said St. Paul resident Florence Steichen, president of Middle East Peace Now.
But others, such as Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said Israel is simply defending itself. "Hamas has brought this on itself through the firing of missiles and rockets and mortars at Israel. ... You can only imagine the response of the United States if terrorists in Fort Frances, Ontario, were firing missiles and rockets at International Falls."
Since the Gaza conflict has escalated over the past week, Minnesotans in support of Palestinians have rallied at the offices of some Congress members and demonstrated in northeast Minneapolis.
A rally put together by a group of Muslim students from the University of Minnesota will take place Monday at the State Capitol from 1 p.m. until nightfall, when protesters plan to hold a candlelight vigil for victims of the conflict.
KARA MCGUIRE
