Emotions over Gaza spill into S. Florida streets

BY JENNIFER LEBOVICH

Posted on Sunday, 01.04.09

jlebovich@MiamiHerald.com

Taunts, jeers, vulgar gestures and curse words filled the air Sunday afternoon as supporters of both sides in the Gaza conflict waged dueling protests outside the Israeli consulate in downtown Miami.

The crowd swelled to more than 1,000 people lining both sides of Biscayne Boulevard, brandishing Palestinian and Israeli flags. At times, rocks and mostly full water bottles sailed across the four-lane street.

The chants from supporters of Israel: ''No mas, Hamas'' and ``There is no Palestine.''

From the supporters of the Palestinians: ''Re-free Palestine'' and ``Occupation is a crime.''

From the pro-Israeli side: ''Bomb, bomb Palestine!'' and, from a few, ``Go back to Israel so we can shoot you!''

From the pro-Palestinian side: ``Monkeys and pigs!''

Twelve people were arrested, mostly misdemeanors but a few on felony charges, said Miami police spokeswoman Kenia Alfonso.

''For the most part the arrests that were made were for people acting disorderly,'' she said.

The Miami protests, which began about 1 p.m. and continued for more than three hours, were among many weekend demonstrations around the world, some of which turned violent. In Athens on Sunday, at a rally against the Israeli advance into Gaza protesters smashed windows and burned American and Israeli flags. Police used stun guns and tear gas to bring the crowd under control.

Thousands in Muslim countries, from Lebanon to Turkey to Morocco, protested the Israeli offensive. Sunday marked the first full day of ground operations as Israeli forces moved to cut Gaza in two. It followed an eight-day air assault. More than 500 Palestinians have died since the operation started, and five Israelis have been killed.

In Miami, police stood between the shouting protesters outside the consulate at Biscayne Boulevard and between Northeast First and Second streets. Police broke up fights and urged along traffic, some of which circled the block while honking and waving flags and signs.

On the east side of Biscayne Boulevard, an adult helped a young boy hold up a sign that read, ``I am an Israeli target.''

''Gaza has been under siege by land, sea. They're denied water, fuel,'' said Samar Yunis, 43, of Miami, holding a Palestinian flag and wearing a keffiyah. ``It's ethnic cleansing. It's a lie that's fabricated about Hamas. This is an excuse to go in and do this.''

Muhammed Malik, coordinator of the South Florida Palestine Solidarity Network, helped organize Sunday's protest.

''We're asking for the end of the siege, the end of airstrikes, the end of occupation,'' he said.

Across the road stood Esther Sterental, 54, draped in an Israeli flag.

''The Palestinians have no moral grounds,'' she said. ``They elected Hamas. They use their children as shields.''

Ivy Feinstein, 52, of Plantation, brought her 18-year-old daughter to the rally.

''We need to show our support for Israel,'' said Feinstein, who was unnerved by the stridency of the Palestinian message. ``I find it scary to see that we're so hated.''

Flags from each side were grabbed, thrown to the grown and angrily stomped. Pro-Palestinians held up shoes as a symbol of resistance. Each side called the other terrorists and animals.

Earlier Sunday, supporters of Israel held a rally just south of the Holocaust memorial in Miami Beach. About three dozen police officers were called in, and barricades were set up with each side given its own space.

But Miami Beach's precautions were unnecessary. While more than 1,500 people rallied for Israel, the area for Palestinian supporters remained empty.

About an hour after that rally ended, people began gathering along Biscayne -- a small crowd at first, but one that quickly grew and became unruly.

''I wasn't taught to hate Jews. I'm very tolerant,'' said Samia Ahmad, 36. ``The tensions are heated because we're here for the Gazans with no voice.''

The protests surprised tourists and local residents who were visiting nearby Bayfront Park and Bayside Marketplace.

''I know there've been fights that have broken out,'' said Jessica Proano, 28, who had come to eat nearby. ``I didn't think it would go that far. It's scary watching because you don't know how far it could go.''

This report was supplemented with material from The Associated Press.